March 19, 2024

Do we need more problems?

Sheri Pherigo

Newton

As I read the letter in the paper by Scott Miles, who supports the Dakota Access Pipeline construction, I wondered if he took into mind the lives of Iowans at hand.

I have a niece that works in the department of Clean Food and Water and the problems are so far out of hand it is ridiculous.

1. Our farmers and homeowners may or may not be insured of the dwellings. It just depends on the situation at hand and insurance.

2. Jobs are not guaranteed. Nor is the time limit.

3. We are in Iowa and we have a clean environment industry — TPI, Trinity and REG companies — what more could we want?

4. The fuel does not stay in the United States, it’s exported to Asia.

I lived in Alaska a short time. Land was walked and inspected for damage, and we had snow mobiles tracking it every day. Also, pipes were above ground. Planes going over are not going to guarantee safety of anything, especially for a small seep that will grow into a big spill.

I hope we all think long and hard. I know of a young single mother that drives an 18 wheeler in the Dakotas so her people can have fresh water to drink and bathe in.

Let’s not have to be the next state to worry about this. Keep Iowa safe.