Letter: Pipeline will not be adequately monitored

The three person, Gov. Terry Branstad appointed Iowa Utilities Board (IUB), permitted a private Texas-based company to build a pipeline across Iowa. The company is required to have a $250,000 surety bond. They also were given the right to take unwilling landowners property with eminent domain. At the proposed pumping amount, one spill, lasting one hour could leak 1 million gallons of toxic crude into our tile system.

For example, there are 300 tile lines per mile in Story County, some as close as two feet from the pipeline. The tile drains into our rivers and aquifers, affecting our drinking water. Remember Des Moines in 1993 with no drinking water? If you think cleaning up nitrates is expensive wait until it's oil. The California spill so far is $92 million for unfinished cleanup of only 2,500 gallons. The Mayflower spill in Arkansas was $57.5 million for 134,000 gallons. For safety the pipeline will be monitored electronically from Sugarland, Texas, and will have a once a week flyover. Does this make you feel safe?

Mark Edwards

Boone