Libertarian Party of Iowa Against Proposed Pipeline That Has Ties To Former Texas Governor Rick Perry
DES MOINES, IOWA – The Libertarian Party of Iowa has reiterated its support for personal property rights by opposing the proposed Bakken pipeline across Iowa which would use eminent domain to take property from Iowa landowners.
Governor Branstad ha s come out in support of the Bakken pipeline across Iowa, which is being reviewed by the Iowa Utilities Board. All three members on the Iowa Utilities Board were appointed by Governor Branstad. The beneficiary of the proposed Bakken crude oil pipeline across Iowa is a private owned company called Dakota Access LLC, a unit of Energy Transfer Partners of Dallas, Texas. Energy Transfer Partners recently disclosed that former Governor of Texas Rick Perry has joined their board of directors.
The Iowa Utilities Board has the authority to implement federal regulation of interstate pipelines (Iowa Code Chapter 479A) and the authority to implement certain control over hazardous liquid pipelines to protect landowners and tenants fr om environmental or economic damages (Iowa Code Chapter 179B). Per Iowa Code, a pipeline company granted a pipeline permit shall be vested with the right of eminent domain, to the extent necessary as prescribed and approved by the board. Eminent domain is the right of a government or its agent to seize, confiscate or use private property for public use, with payment of compensation. The Code further states that a permit shall not be granted to a pipeline company unless the board determines that the proposed services will promote the public convenience and necessity.
Libertarian Party of Iowa Chair, Keith Laube, has said that “The proposed pipeline will not serve Iowa utility customers like other existing utility pipelines in Iowa. There is no public use with the proposed Bakken pipeline. The beneficiary is a private owned company, Energy Transfer Partners”.
Laube condemned the use of eminent domain to build the pipeline. “The Bakken pipeline benefits a private entity with minimal benefits to the public. The proposed pipeline would encroach on Iowa’s agricultural landowners and place Iowa’s environment at risk”. The Libertarian Party of Iowa strongly opposes the use of eminent domain for the acquisition of easements for the Bakken crude oil pipeline across Iowa. The people of Iowa should unite with the Libertarian Party of Iowa to demand that the Iowa Public Utilities Board deny a pipeline permit so eminent domain is not used for this private pipeline project”.
