MN protest at PUC: Minnesota PUC Embridge/Keystones Tar Sands Pipeline

[annm4peace]

(so much for having a Democrat Gov and Senate. )

Published on Jul 18, 2013
This pipeline is already failing in some areas, and would undoubtedly rupture, spewing oil into both indigenous and public land. Leaving the cleanup cost for the neighborhoods effected is a near certainty, as Enbridge (and most other oil companies) refuse clean up costs in most spills.


A number of people and groups had asked to be able to testify. Going through the formal process. Including noted Native American activists Marty Cobenais of the Indigenous Environment Network and Winona LaDuke. Also other experts in the field of Global Climate Change asked for the abilility to testify.

They had not received a response from the Public Utilities Commission.

So when the hearing started- we all stood, as one. The room was packed. I had attended these events in the past and have never seen so many people attending. We made it clear that we would stand until our side- the Public were allowed to be heard. One fine young woman, Liz from Occupy Minnesota spoke for all of us when she made it clear that we would indeed stand.

We stood as the Enbridge Corporate representatives were allowed to testify. Then the Minnesota Department Of Commerce testified.(* correctionfrom previous- not MN Chamber of Commerce).

Needless to say those environnmental experts who had gone through their process, Marty, Winona and others were not allowed to speak.

At this point pandamonium erupted. The "Public" Utilities Commission quickly took a vote and were unanimous in their decision to go through with this. Very reminiscent of the corporate Wilfare Stadium Deal, it must be noted.

President Barack Obama supports this monstrosity. It is obvious that Governor Dayton supports it and Sulfide Mining in northern Minnesota. Or more to the point their corporate owners. Which is why they bought them and made them "viable" electoral candidates.

The completely corporate corrupted and bi-partisan electoral system is broken.
However, this issue of the Tar Sands is far too critical to blow off or hope that the corporate selected officials like Governor Dayton will do what is right.

Have no fear though. There are people who are committed to stopping this. People who understand that we may only have about 15-20 years before we reach the tipping point of no return on this planet.
We also have a model on how it can be done.

Not by begging Mark Dayton to "Do what is right" or by writing letters to corporate selected officials or indeed a corporate media that would never publish them. That is a waste of time and energy.
No indeed.

We have the example right here in Minnesota during the Power Lines Struggles during the 80's.
Those are the people that I applaud and support. They will be the heroes who will save our planet.

As an aside- I was there and am writing this because I am sure that the Star Tribune and MPR will produce some fluffy story about what happened. Not telling you all what really happened there.

Just like their owners tell them to.

Wake Up People. Organize- Get Involved. Action Is Key. Time is of the essence.

As for the five members of the newly renamed Corporate Utilities Commission. Shame On Them.

Now lets get busy. The future of our life on this planet, your children and children's children depend on it.

[limpyhobbler]

1. K&R!

Thanks for the posts, they are a real breath of fresh air.

[midnight]

2. Thanks for posting... I'm interested in Minnesota during the Power Lines Struggles during the 80's.

Tried looking for some info... but didn't find anything...

[They_Live]

3. K&R