Happy New Year: Coming in 08!

Blueman is suffering from a cold, and is chilling out with Bluewoman watching...West Wing Season 4 tonight. Since I am hopped up on cold meds, I'll probably be asleep well before midnight...anyway...

2007 was a great year of blogging. There are so many people to thank for your advice and support over the past year. I appreciate the comments from the readers. Your feedback is always appreciated!

So, what will Blueman work on in 2008? Lots of the same stuff from 2007, but with perhaps more snarkiness.

Winter Soldier 2008.

Elwyn Tinklenberg's taconite connections.

CD 6 endorsement race coverage.

FEC report tracking.

Candidate interviews HD 19A, 19B, 18B and others.

MinnCan pipeline coming near Cokato.

And more...

Thanks for a great 2007 and best wishes to all of you for 2008!

Top 7 story lines in 2007

So much to sort through and consider. In coming up with the order of importance, we weighed the amount of traffic and the number of stories that were cross posted or linked elsewhere.

Lots of great stories were left off the final list. Some of them include the per diem follies of Randy Demmer and our other fiscal conservatives, school levies passing in Dassel Cokato and Glencoe Silver Lake, the statewide smoking ban, and other legislative endeavors.

Mark Olson was even spared from the Top 7, but to be fair, we could just do a Top 7 for him alone!

Beyond becoming engaged to Bluewoman in Washington DC, with a 11/8/08 wedding date, here are the Top 7 Blueman story lines for 2007. I'm looking forward to a stronger 8 in 08!

7. Urdahl and Shimanski Townhall Forum. For someone who paints himself as a "moderate" one would have to ask why they hang out with such extreme company.

While the forum itself, billed as a townhall forum and appeared to be a rally, was interesting, the festivities afterwards were even better.

Toe to toe with Dean Urdahl was an awful lot of fun, interesting too. We discussed Rep Urdahl's flip flop of the Transportation vote.

Apparently, Urdahl's vote to sustain the Governor's Transportation veto had nothing to do with transportation. As a scholar of government, I ought to know that. Urdahl said quite a bit tonight, not going to lie...but apparently neither myself nor his wife understands what he does.

Bottomline, he flip flopped. Said he'd support a gas tax increase in October 2006, voted for it in the original bill, and flopped after the Governor called him to the carpet.

Despite this forum and run in, it only makes #7 on the list.

6. MinnCan pipeline. Nice to see the MinnCann pipeline taking shape just outside of Cokato (between the high school and the golf course). While the story remained on the periphery of Minnesota news in 07, the pipelines garnered a lot more attention after the accident at Clearbrook.

We'll get photos up after the New Year!

5. Elwyn Tinklenberg's resistance to abide by the DFL endorsement. As a Local Unit DFL official, I have sworn to support DFL endorsed candidates. Does it bother anyone else that when asked about the endorsement, Tinklenberg cannot give a straight answer?

At the November 15th forum at St Cloud State University, Tinklenberg stated his intentions on the endorsement. From the SC Times.

The DFL race would appear to be up to party delegates to decide, as Tinklenberg, who had avoided saying he would abide by the party's endorsement process earlier, appeared to commit Thursday.

"I supported the party's endorsed candidate before," he said of his 2006 endorsement loss to Patty Wetterling. "I will certainly do that again."

Olson reiterated his previous commitment to abide by the endorsement process.

Yet, on December 13th at the SD 19 DFL meeting in Buffalo, Elwyn had this to say about the endorsement.

"We will honor the endorsement if it is an honorable and straight forward process."

Which left many potential delegates asking the question, "What, what does that mean?"

Elwyn came back with "We will honor the endorsement if it is an honorable and fair process."

Call me naive, but it sounds to me like someone who's prepping for a primary!

4. Dean Urdahl flip flops on Transportation. While admitting that Governor Pawlenty's Transportation plan underfunded roads in Greater Minnesota, Urdahl put politics before the people. Whats even more shameful of this vote was that Urdahl told County Commissioners that he would support a gas tax increase, during the 06 campaign cycle.

I expect more antics from Rep Urdahl now that he's in the minority. Let me guess, he'll work to address school funding reforms he did little about when he was in the majority.

3. Michele Bachmann. Dump Bachmann will do this more justice, but just off hand...

Groping the President, votes against working and middle class Minnesotan's, her Iran quotes, and a slew of other stories.

2. Luke Hellier and the MnSCU Board of Trustee's. I drew the ire of righty bloggers and radio talk show hosts for this one, and we were dead on. The issue is still closely followed by the statewide student associations. MSUSA, the 4 year student association, is anxiously awaiting their replacement to the MnSCU Board, a mere 6 months late now. It's much worse for MSCSA, the 2 year student association. Their student representative has served 18 months past the end of her initial appointment, without replacement.

Meanwhile, Governor Pawlenty spends his time pimping John McCain.

1. Walter Reed Scandal / Veterans Suicide. Support Our Troops, Liberate Iraq was the slogan on the lawnsign. Too bad it never carried over to when our brave men and women came home.

Being treated in despicable conditions at Walter Reed and other military and VA hospitals across the US, it took a Washington Post story to break this scandal wide open. Miles from the concrete palace our President resides in, our soldiers and Veterans were second class citizens.

Suicide rates of veterans also rose and remain more than double of "normal" society. Minnesota has lost no less than 16 Iraq or Afghanistan Veterans under the age of 30, since 2005.

It's a story that should be number 1 in more places than just Blueman and will remain a focal point of my blog.

Still a MinnCan pipeline fan?

Tragic news on a pipeline in Northern Minnesota.

While Koch Industries was not directly related to this recent tragedy, they historically have a very poor safety record.

Check out my previous posts on the MinnCan Pipeline, I'll try to post more on this later!

*Update*

I'd like to welcome back the Koch Industries exec's who are reading the blog today! Welcome back...now keep your damn pipeline out of my backyard!

More on the MinnCan pipeline

It's been a long week at work, I have not had a lot of time to post or respond to what's going on lately...but nothing like going back to another good ole MinnCan / Koch Industries pipeline story.

The SC Times has a story today about an appeal to the Minnesota Court of Appeals regarding the pipeline being forced down their throats in Greater Minnesota.

Some seem to think that 165 landowners should simply roll over because nearly a thousand did. If you have checked out previous posts here about the pipeline, you will read about extremely coercive tactics used by Koch Industries / MinnCan pipeline folks.

MPIRG attorney John Carney said the landowners' due-process rights were violated because:

» Many landowners never received notification of the pipeline, while others received notice too late to have any meaningful participation in the process.

» The PUC didn't follow a Minnesota Supreme Court decision requiring that new utilities follow existing routes when possible.

» The PUC didn't properly evaluate whether a new crude oil pipeline is needed in Minnesota. Other alternatives weren't considered or were rejected without proper analysis, the landowners contend.

» The environmental review wasn't adequate for a project of such magnitude and impact.

Regardless, nearly 6 months later, the pipeline cutting through the heart of Greater Minnesota still remains an incredibly important issue, especially for our farmers.

We'll continue to follow the story!

No appointment yet...

It's July 1st, do you know who your new student trustee to the MnSCU Board is? Governor Pawlenty has not made an announcement yet.

One interesting item I stumbled across this past weekend...

Hellier was paid more than $16,000 for his work with Congresswoman Bachmann in the past election cycle.

Are we ready for a private college, political operative to represent 4 year students on the MnSCU Board?

Another interesting tidbit...

We all know the controversy surrounding the Koch Industries / MinnCan pipeline being forced down the throats of Minnesota's farmers.

In Minnesota's Congressional Delegation, Koch Industries is a top contributor to both Congresswoman Bachmann and Congressman Kline.

Looking at the map, it's no wonder why Koch Industries would want to buy off Congresswoman Bachmann and Congressman Kline, the pipeline runs through the heart of each of their districts.

More local musings

In my notable absence fighting neo-conservative political operatives, this story flew under my radar.

Thank goodness for great minds like Chris Truscott and Dave Mindeman at mnpACT!.

Rep Ron Shimanski takes pride in his first year at the capitol as an obstructionist.

House members held the line against over $5 billion in new, job-killing tax
increases. In cooperation with the governor, who made very clear from the
beginning that there were some initiatives that would be "poison pills" - making
an entire bill unsignable - House members promoted the values that Minnesotans
hold dear.

It's the same rant he sent out in his constituent email as well.

Thankfully, Dave was around to set Shimanski straight.

$5 billion...wow..sounds like a lot. But, a lot of that money was offset by property tax relief. New taxes on the wealthy to give a break to property owners already hit by a slumping housing market. That particular bill had a net increase in taxes of zero.

And one of the poison pills alluded to by Rep. Shimanski is an effort to take inflation into account for state budgeting. Most of you understand inflation... you know... the thing that made the Crosstown Project cost an additional 30% during a 3 year delay in execution. The thing consumers are noticing in the produce aisles. The increases the state takes into account on the revenue side of things but pretends doesn't exist for spending purposes.

In his hometown of Silver Lake, the top issue people talked to me about last year was property taxes. Shimanski failed his constituents and his hometown.

Another issue Shimanski failed to address deals with the Koch Industry / MinnCan pipeline debacle. Shimanski, a small farmer himself, failed to act to protect farmers near Lester Prairie and Plato, as pipeline representatives used coercive tactics in order to obtain permission to run the pipeline through their property.

The SC Times published a story today about the pipeline problems as well.

The owners of about 85 percent of those parcels have signed agreements giving Minnesota Pipe Line an easement across their property in exchange for a payment, company spokeswoman Patty Dunn said.

The owners of the remaining 15 percent haven't signed either because they haven't reached a financial agreement or because of objections to the project. The company filed petitions in 13 counties this week seeking condemnation of the easement tracts, Dunn said.

A blatant assault of property owners rights. Where are the conservatives on this? Tom Emmer? Ron Shimanski? Dean Urdahl? Why are you not protecting the private property rights of Minnesota's farmers?

MinnCan Pipeline in Enterprise Dispatch

Last weeks Dassel Cokato Enterprise Dispatch had a nice little article, written by an intern, about the MinnCan pipeline.

Was this a press release from Koch Industries or the Minnesota Pipeline Company?

It sure reads awful smarmy.

Over the next few months, MinnCan representatives will distribute the final easement payments, and complete various environmental projects. In some areas,
initial construction preparation and activity could begin.

After they twisted the knife in our collective backs once again. Recall the Administrative Judge that scolded the Minnesota Pipeline Company, and indirectly Koch Industries, for their coercive and deceitful tactics in obtaining easements at many farms across the state.

But what I found to be of more interest in the press rel...errrr, news story was the amount in property taxes that will be generated by this pipeline.

Depending on the number of miles of pipeline installed in each county, after
construction is completed, the county will receive $120,000 to $1.8 million in
property taxes annually, paid by the Minnesota Pipe Line Company. In addition,
once operational, the pipeline will generate approximately $9 million in annual
local property tax revenues.

Perhaps the County Commissioners and other locally elected leaders see merely dollar signs with the project, not the situations Eden Valley residents envision.

Campaign Finance reports show that both Rep Dean Urdahl and Senator Steve Dille have received campaign contributions from the Northwest Petroleum PAC.

Dille received $250 on August 2nd
Urdahl received $250 on February 10

Interestingly enough, they also gave Scott Newman $500 in 2006, the former State Rep running for a District Judge position in West Central Minnesota.

Follow the money trail...oftentimes it will explain a lot!

Eden Valley and tne MinnCan pipeline

As you know, I have grave concerns over the proposed MinnCan pipeline, which will invade precious agricultural land and wetlands across SD 18 and West Central Minnesota.

I have reported that Rep. Dean Urdahl has met with Eden Valley officials and people in Eden Valley about the pipeline.

The SC Times has a story today about Eden Valley officials concerns.

Eden Valley officials worry that, if conditions are right and if there is an oil leak, oil would run into town, damaging property and wreaking havoc along the waterway and in connecting lakes and rivers.

"The potential to destroy Eden Valley is immense," City Council member Pete Korman said. "It's kinda scary when you think about it."

What would 134,000 gallons of oil do to Eden Valley? The spill in Little Falls Minnesota this past summer, will continue to impact the environment for decades to come.

City officials should genuinely concerned about the damage this pipeline can do.

More to follow on what our locally elected leaders are doing about the pipeline.

MinnCan Pipeline LTE in the McLeod County Chronicle@

The McLeod County Chronicle, a Glencoe based paper, has a LTE on the pipeline now too! Thus far, the MCC is the only local weekly to cover the pipeline.

Check out these facts.

MinnCan's crude oil pipeline severely impacts the lives of over 1,000 property owners in Minnesota, by taking their land and offering to pay pennies on the dollar for their property loss.

The MinnCan pipeline will bring more than 165,000 barrels of oil per day
across these properties, and create a risk of oil spills in our rich agricultural lands. Such a spill happened recently in Little Falls, where a different Koch pipeline ruptured spilling more than 134,000 gallons and permanently contaminated the land.

See my previous posts for a history of the environmental injustice that Koch Industries has spread across the United States.

The best part of this, it's not just a rant with no end in sight. The authors actually have an action the readers can take.

"Buy the Farm" gives property owners the option to require proposers of high-voltage transmission lines to purchase their entire property rather than just an easement. The new law would simply extend this option to land owners that are affected by large crude oil pipelines.

We believe that this is a fair and reasonable option that enhances the rights of property owners who will be negatively impacted on a permanent basis because they were chosen to "host" the pipeline's route. It also will become a viable tool in every property owner's toolbox for constructing a fair settlement with the proposer.

This statute is directly in line with the overwhelmingly public support of eminent domain limits. While the recent eminent domain legislation unfortunately did not affect these types of utility takings, the above bill will bring some power back to Minnesota landowners who are impacted by utility development.

It ought to be supported by the Minnesota Farm Bureau and other farmer and environmentally friendly organizations across the state.

I have contacted my legislators on this...time to call yours! Get them to support the "Buy the Farm-Pipeline Act".

Make Representative Shimanski's phone ring and ring until he offers this bill.

A MinnCan LTE! Dassel Cokato Enterprise Dispatch!

Yesterday I posted some info and an update on the MinnCan pipeline being forced down the collective throats of rural West Central Minnesotan's.

Finally, some local coverage of the issue. The Enterprise Dispatch, a Dassel, Cokato, Darwin newspaper, has a LTE on the issue.

MinnCan’s crude oil pipeline severely impacts the lives of over 1,000 property owners in Minnesota, by taking their land and offering to pay pennies on the dollar for their property loss.

This is a significant concern for many farmers out here in rural Minnesota. Depsite that, and that all of our locally elected leaders have been endorsed and recieved money from the Farm Bureau, action seems to be very slow towards halting the proposed pipeline. Rep Urdahl is the only locally elected leader who has done anything thus far on this, meeting with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission and with farmers in the Eden Valley area.

Senator Dille and Representative Shimanski has stated concern but I have seen little or no actual action thus far.

I wonder if all the PAC money from the petroleum industry has anything to do with this?

The LTE has an action to be taken as well, which all grassroots, issue based advocates must have.

The action is to lobby our elected officials to add language to protect property owners from the pipeline industry thugs, like Koch Industries. We already do it for the powerlines, we ought to do it for pipelines as well. It's really a very logical solution.

The “Buy the Farm - Pipeline Act” is based directly off an existing statute informally called the “Buy the Farm Act” (Minn.Stat 216E.12). “Buy the Farm” gives property owners the option to require proposers of high-voltage transmission lines to purchase their entire property rather than just an easement. The new law would simply extend this option to land owners that are affected by large crude oil pipelines.

So, get ahold of your State Senator and State Representative and make them aware of the issue. We strongly urge all of those affected, or who support the property owners in harm’s way, to call, e-mail, or write their representatives, asking them to bring the “Buy the Farm - Pipeline Act” to the floor. To find out who represents you, go to www.leg.state.mn.us/leg/Districtfinder.asp

Excellent LTE! We'll keep the pressure on!

Minnesota pipeline update

Unfortunately, the main stream media outlets in Minnesota are deficient in covering the proposed pipeline that will cut through the heart of rural West/Central Minnesota.

Most of the weekly newspapers out in our area are simply not covering the story. Are the same strong arm tactics being used with the small local papers as they were with the farmers Koch Industries scammed for their land?

The Startribune covered the hearings behind the pipeline and the coercive tactics used by Koch Industries and their agents.

Jonathon Posusta, who grows 230 acres of corn and soybeans on a century-old
family farm near Lester Prairie, broke down several times as he testified that
agents representing the pipeline project threatened some of his neighbors,
telling them that they would force the pipeline across their land if they didn't
sign easement agreements.

Even an administrative law judge found the tactics shady to say the least.

An administrative law judge who recommended in November that the state approve
the pipeline agreed with Posusta that landowners were sometimes treated poorly
by the process. Judge Beverly Jones Heydinger, who oversaw a series of public
hearings last fall concerning the pipeline, said some landowners were not told
that the original pipeline route had changed, moving the planned path onto their
properties, despite initial assurances that it would not cross their land, she
noted.

The Pioneer Press reported that the offers from Koch Industries were insultingly low, even with the coercive tactics.

"The offers … are so ridiculously low, it's pitiful," said Joyce H. Osborn, a Burnsville real estate broker who owns 105 acres in Scott County. "It's a real mess."

The McLeod County Chronicle has been the only local media outlet to cover the story, for which, they deserve a Colbert like "Tip of the Hat".

"People's rights were violated, and they never got their due process. It's
wrong," said Ken Posusta. Posusta's brother, Jonathan, is a McLeod County
farmer, and is purchasing 230 acres owned by their parents. That property is
being affected by the pipeline."People's property is one of the most important
things to their livelihood," said Posusta. "They (the pipeline company) need to
be held to a higher ethical and moral standard."

So, just who is Koch Industries?

Let's just say their safety record is not as stellar as one would like a pipeline company to be.

Koch Industries indicted on 97 counts of violating federal clean air and hazardous waste laws.

"Companies that produce dangerous pollutants simply cannot focus on profit
and efficiency at the expense of a community's health," said Lois Shiffer,
Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Justice Department's Environment and
Natural Resources Division. "We will continue to find and prosecute those who
would flout our environmental laws."

More violations and fines paid out by Koch.

For Koch Industries, the amounts of money it can save by sabotaging environmental
rules make the sums diverted to the think tanks that do the dirty work pale in
comparison. The year 2000 was particularly rough for the Kochs. In January, Koch
Industries agreed to pay about $35 million for violations of the Clean Water Act
related to 310 oil spills in six states. Two months later, Koch admitted to
environmental violations at its oil refinery in Rosemount,Minnesota, and was
forced to cough up another $8 million in penalties. Then in July, it agreed not
only to spend about $80 million to cut emissions from its Rosemount facility and
from two other refineries in Texas, but also to pay a $1million fine for
air-pollution violations.

Company execs have given almost a half million dollars to Republican's and to President Bush.

During the 1990s, the company's leaky pipelines were responsible for more than
300 oil spills in five states, prompting a penalty of $30 million.In 1996, a
faulty pipeline caused an explosion outside of Dallas in which two teenagers were
killed. In a lawsuit related to the deaths, a trial court returned a judgement of
$376.69 million against the company.

Remember what happened in Little Falls this past summer where more than 134,000 gallons of oil spewed from the pipeline.

Check out Rep. Jim Oberstar's press release.

The contaminated soil ranged from 6 to 18 inches deep.

Speaking of the size of the landfill for the contaminated soil,

"It’s the fourth largest landfill in the state." He further pointed out that, to
receive the contaminated soil, a thick heavy plastic liner has been put down,
covered with dense clay. The restoration phase will follow the recovery phase.
This could take years and will include having fresh soil brought in. Studies
will also continue. The site is on property owned by Robert and Cindy Poppen.
Their complete 75 acres have since been purchased by the Minnesota Pipeline
Company, operators of the pipeline.

Koch Industries will also run the pipeline through our backyards. What would 134,000 gallons of oil do to fertile farmland in Central Minnesota?

Having spoken to Senator Dille and Representative's Urdahl and Shimanski, a legislative solution is less likely than ever, but not out of the question. All of these elected officials expressed concern over the "low balling" being done by Koch Industries. Implementing eminent domain is also a significant concern for all of these leaders.

Rep Urdahl has done more on this issue than others though, and for that, I am grateful. He has met with the Public Utilities Commission, and with impacted land owners and farmers near Eden Valley.

Rep Shimanski though, is notably quiet. His weekly legislative updates talk about him going to trade shows in Hutchinson and other issues, nothing related to the MinnCan pipeline being forced down our throats.

So the question is what can we do about this. First of all, we are not done yet. The pipeline has a date with an appeals court in the future.

One thing I am pushing my elected leaders to do is to change the statutes around the "Buy the Farm Act (Minn.Stat 216E.12).

The statute provides land owners the option to force the builders of high power transmission lines (power lines) to have to purchase the entire land and not simply "low ball" an easement.

Check here for the specific language we can use to force this measure.

I'm anxiously awaiting word from Rep Urdahl on what he can do for changing this statute.

Who's behind the pipeline?

Need some more info on these cool cats that are pushing this pipeline down our collective throats?

Here you go!

Koch Industries indicted on 97 counts of violating federal clean air and hazardous waste laws.

"Companies that produce dangerous pollutants simply cannot focus on profit and
efficiency at the expense of a community's health," said Lois Shiffer, Assistant
Attorney General in charge of the Justice Department's Environment and Natural
Resources Division. "We will continue to find and prosecute those who would
flout our environmental laws."

More violations and fines paid out by Koch.

For Koch Industries, the amounts of money it can save by sabotaging
environmental rules make the sums diverted to the think tanks that do the dirty
work pale in comparison. The year 2000 was particularly rough for the Kochs. In
January, Koch Industries agreed to pay about $35 million for violations of the
Clean Water Act related to 310 oil spills in six states. Two months later, Koch
admitted to environmental violations at its oil refinery in Rosemount,
Minnesota, and was forced to cough up another $8 million in penalties. Then in
July, it agreed not only to spend about $80 million to cut emissions from its
Rosemount facility and from two other refineries in Texas, but also to pay a $1
million fine for air-pollution violations.

They pay big amounts of money for their media/pr spin!

Koch's track record on the environment includes the largest pollution penalty
ever assessed by the Environmental Protection Agency, as well as lawsuits over
groundwater pollution in Minnesota, escaping benzene gas in Texas and oil leaks
in six states.

Even Janet Reno drilled them hard, pun intended.

"This record civil penalty will put those who transport hazardous materials on notice -- you cannot endanger public health or the environment," said Attorney General Janet Reno. "We will not let you foul our water and spoil our land by breaking the law."

"Ties that bind".

Company execs have given almost a half million dollars to Republican's and to President Bush.

During the 1990s, the company's leaky pipelines were responsible for more
than 300 oil spills in five states, prompting a penalty of $30 million.

In 1996, a faulty pipeline caused an explosion outside of Dallas in which
two teenagers were killed. In a lawsuit related to the deaths, a trial court
returned a judgement of $376.69 million against the company.

Anna Nicole Smith even filed a lawsuit against the company.

We could seriously go on and on...and we probably will.

It is my belief that people need to know who is building this pipeline in our backyards. For the most part, the mainstream media has failed in its role to provide unbiased coverage of the pipeline discussion.

I admit, I am biased. I am biased towards ensuring that Minnesotans have a full and fair opportunity to discuss the pipeline, without being coerced into supporting it.

This is our powerline people, time to step up and make our voices heard.

It's time to fight.

MinnCan pipeline comments

This was posted as a comment. Since it's so good, I am giving it its own post.

As property owners sharing the suffering and hardships created by the MinnCan pipeline project, we urgently ask that you assist everyone in harms way by actively supporting the “Buy the Farm – Pipeline Act.” MinnCan's crude oil pipeline severely impacts the lives of over 1,000 property owners in Minnesota, by taking their land and offering to pay pennies on the dollar for their property loss. The MinnCan pipeline will bring more than 165,000 barrels of oil per day across these properties, and create a risk of oil spills in our rich agricultural lands. Such a spill happened recently in Little Falls, MN where a different Koch pipeline ruptured spilling more than 134,000 gallons and permanently contaminated the land.

The “Buy the Farm – Pipeline Act” is based directly off an existing statute informally called the “Buy the Farm Act” (Minn.Stat 216E.12). “Buy the Farm” gives property owners the option to require proposers of high-voltage transmission lines to purchase their entire property rather than just an easement. The new law would simply extend this option to land owners that are affected by large crude oil pipelines.

We believe that this is a fair and reasonable option that enhances the rights of property owners who will be negatively impacted on a permanent basis because they were chosen to "Host" the pipeline's route. It will also become a viable tool in every property owner’s toolbox for constructing a fair settlement with the proposer.

This statute is directly inline with the overwhelmingly public support of eminent domain limits. While the recent eminent domain legislation unfortunately did not affect these types of utility takings, the above bill will bring some power back to Minnesota landowners who are impacted by utility development.

Please share this letter with others you know that are being affected by the proposed MinnCan pipeline route. We strongly urge all of those affected or support the property owners in harm's way, to call, email, or write their Representatives (To find out who represents you go to www.leg.state.mn.us/leg/Districtfinder.asp), asking them to bring the " Buy the Farm – Pipeline Act" to the floor. There is power in numbers and the more interest the Representatives receive, the more likely this bill will be heard.

Time is critical and these interests need to be expressed, NOW...They all need to be sent as soon as possible. Thank you for your help in spreading the word and voicing your support!

Proposed Bill:Eminent Domain amendment for Pipeline Facilities
Adapted from MinnStat 216E.12, 2006
Proposed Language

Contiguous land. When private real property that is an agricultural or nonagricultural homestead, nonhomestead agricultural land, rental residential property, and both commercial and noncommercial seasonal residential recreational property, as those terms are defined in section 273.13 is proposed to be acquired for the construction of a site or route for a crude oil pipeline that requires a certificate of need, by eminent domain proceedings, the fee owner, or when applicable, the fee owner with the written consent of the contract for deed vendee, or the contract for deed vendee with the written consent of the fee owner, shall have the option to require the utility to condemn a fee interest in any amount of contiguous, commercially viable land which the owner or vendee wholly owns or has contracted to own in undivided fee and elects in writing to transfer to the utility within 60 days after receipt of the notice of the objects of the petition filed pursuant to section 117.055. Commercial viability shall be determined without regard to the presence of the utility route or site. The owner or, when applicable, the contract vendee shall have only one such option and may not expand or otherwise modify an election without the consent of the utility. The required acquisition of land pursuant to this subdivision shall be considered an acquisition for a public purpose and for use in the utility's business, for purposes of chapter 117 and section 500.24, respectively; provided that a utility shall divest itself completely of all such lands used for farming or capable of being used for farming not later than the time it can receive the market value paid at the time of acquisition of lands less any diminution in value by reason of the presence of the utility route or site. Upon the owner's election made under this subdivision, the easement interest over and adjacent to the lands designated by the owner to be acquired in fee, sought in the condemnation petition for a right-of-way for a crude oil pipeline which requires a Certificate of Need shall automatically be converted into a fee taking.

Koch Industries: Some interesting connections

Minnesotan's always like to know who's digging in our collective backyards. I guess that's just the way we are up here.

We call it Minnesota Nice.

We already know that Koch Industries was co founded by Anna Nicole Smith's former husband. I'm sure that revelation curled some toes in conservative Central Minnesota.

It seem also that a high profile GOP staffer, who now is employed by Koch Industries, may have assisted former Lobbyist Jack Abramoff, in his illegal lobby dealings. Whether they knowingly or unknowingly assisted is at question now, per the story cited above.

It's pretty clear where the Koch family charitable interests go as well.

David and Charles Koch, sons of the ultraconservative founder of Koch Industries, Fred Koch, direct the three Koch family foundations: the Charles G. Koch Foundation, the David H. Koch Charitable Foundation, and the Claude R. Lambe Charitable Foundation.

Following in the footsteps of their father, a member of the John Birch Society, the Kochs clearly have a conservative bent. Charles Koch founded the Cato Institute, and David Koch co-founded Citizens for a Sound Economy (CSE) [now FreedomWorks], where he serves as chairman of the board of directors. David also serves on the board of the Cato Institute. The Koch foundations make substantial annual contributions to these organizations (more than $12 million to each between 1985 and 2002) as well as to other influential conservative think tanks, advocacy groups, media organizations, academic institutes and legal organizations, thus participating in every level of the policy process.

Their total conservative policy giving exceeded $20 million between 1999 and 2001.

Curtis Moore argues that "Koch money funds industry-friendly messages that fill our airwaves and editorial pages, and influences outcomes in the halls of Congress and courtrooms across the country." CSE produces numerous policy papers that reach every congressional office as well as hundreds of newsletters and op-ed pieces. Representatives of the organization may be seen on a number of radio and television shows. Cato's influence also extends to policymakers and the public.

In touting limited government and free markets, these organizations doubt the dangers of various chemicals, environmental pollutants and global warming, as well as challenge research efforts documenting these hazards. One CSE paper argued that "environmental conservation requires a commonsense approach that limits the scope of government."

In writing these papers and making these appearances, individuals associated with these organizations often conveniently decline to acknowledge the substantial funding they receive from Koch and other corporations from the oil, coal, auto and other industries. By withholding such information, they are able to front as unbiased the public-minded associations promoting rigorous scientific research and economic autonomy, when, in fact, the individuals are mere mouthpieces for industries like that of the Koch brothers.

These organizations influence not only public opinion and policy but also judicial outlook. For example, in 1999 CSE subsidized the creation of amici
briefs providing reasons to proclaim the Clear Air Act unconstitutional. CSE received $600,000 from the Claude R. Lambe Foundation that year. The foundation also provided substantial funding to the Foundation for Research on Economics and the Environment (FREE), which holds seminars for federal judges at its ranch near Big Sky, Montana. Many influential judges attend these seminars, including those who heard arguments made by legal representatives receiving funding from CSE. It makes sense that the Kochs would fund such anti-environment organizations, given their seedy past of environmental violations and lawsuits.

Most significantly, the U.S. Department of Justice charged Koch Industries with
97 counts of defying federal hazardous waste and clean air-acts when it
knowingly emitted benzene fumes and then lied about its actions when questioned.

In 2001, Koch Industries agreed to a $20 million settlement, a drastically smaller sum than it would have paid if convicted.

I suggest going to the main link to view the sources used in this piece as well.

This is the company that wants a pipeline built in rural Central Minnesota.

More research pending!

McLeod County Chronicle on the Pipeline

The McLeod County Chronicle has coverage of the MinnCan pipeline.

"People's rights were violated, and they never got their due process. It's wrong," said Ken Posusta. Posusta's brother, Jonathan, is a McLeod County farmer, and is purchasing 230 acres owned by their parents. That property is being affected by the pipeline.

"People's property is one of the most important things to their livelihood," said Posusta. "They (the pipeline company) need to be held to a higher ethical and moral standard."

I love how many of the GOP members in both the House and Senate cite individual rights when it comes to smoking bans, but when a pipeline comes through our district and people are coerced, they sit around and do nothing.

I have stepped up my actions in the pipeline issue. All of our locally elected officials have gotten a letter from me and I am also awaiting a response from the Attorney General's office.

Pipeline is approved...

...for now.

SC Times has another story.

The PUC heard public testimony at a hearing Tuesday, then deliberated for several hours Thursday before voting 4-0 in favor of the project and the proposed route, executive secretary Burl Haar said. The commission added several conditions to the permit to address landowners' concerns, he said.

Sure wish the story covered the "several conditions".

Individual landowners also may decide to file lawsuits to try to stop the project, said Bob Schestak, a vocal opponent of the pipeline, which would cross land he owns near Swanville.

Schestak maintains that the PUC's decision in favor of the pipeline expansion was based largely on data supplied by the pipeline company, not on objective market analysis.

"It's a travesty that they could go through this whole thing without looking at that part of it," he said.

The fight is not over...looks like a date with a Minnesota Court of Appeals is coming.

Pioneer Press on the MinnCan pipeline

The Pioneer Press also is carrying a piece on the pipeline today. It's not as hard hitting as the Startribune piece though.

"The offers … are so ridiculously low, it's pitiful," said Joyce H. Osborn, a Burnsville real estate broker who owns 105 acres in Scott County. "It's a real mess."

Some homeowners have tried in vain to persuade the company to buy their properties outright, rather than purchase easements they fear will lower their land's potential selling price.

Officials with the company say their representatives have made fair offers that more than 70 percent of landowners have accepted. If the commission approves the pipeline, the company could attempt to seize easement rights from the remaining landowners through eminent domain proceedings.

Check out the Strib piece for the coercive nature that assisted the company in obtaining 70%.

Since 1989, the Statutes surrounding these issues were relaxed to allow a more streamlined process.

MPIRG and other critics note that the project's "environmental review document" was largely written by Minnesota Pipeline Co. itself and later approved by the commission's staff.

"Several members of the public were critical of this method … because the analysis was not conducted by an independent entity, but by the company," wrote Administrative Law Judge Beverly Heydinger in Nov. 17 findings supporting the need for a new pipeline.

Frankly, its a classic case of handing the keys of the asylum to the inmates.

I am troubled by how much the Administrative Law judges have witnessed and are still allowing this pipeline to go forward. The Strib piece outlines the use of coercive tactics and now the Pioneer Press talks about the streamlined environmental process the company was able to use.

They checked off on this project themselves.

I have contacted my locally elected officials and have gotten a few responses. I will be meeting with some of them in the coming week or so and I will ask for some sort of legislative oversight on the issue.

I'd love for this project to have to go before a few House and Senate committee's.

Pipeline makes the SC Times

Although the story is rather bland.

It does not share the same stories of our farmers agonzing over the coercive tactics used by agents for the MinnCan pipeline.

I wonder what Koch Industries Execs think about this blatant misue of power?

Minncan Pipeline Agents Used Coercive tactics

What else could we expect from the company of Anna Nicole Smiths deceased husband, Koch Industries?

The Strib reports today on the Public Utilities Commission will most likely vote to approve the Minncan pipeline cutting a swath through the heart of rural Central Minnesota.

Jonathon Posusta, who grows 230 acres of corn and soybeans on a century-old family farm near Lester Prairie, broke down several times as he testified that agents representing the pipeline project threatened some of his neighbors, telling them that they would force the pipeline across their land if they didn't sign easement agreements.

An administrative law judge who recommended in November that the state approve the pipeline agreed with Posusta that landowners were sometimes treated poorly by the process. Judge Beverly Jones Heydinger, who oversaw a series of public hearings last fall concerning the pipeline, said some landowners were not told that the original pipeline route had changed, moving the planned path onto their properties, despite initial assurances that it would not cross their land, she noted.

"The pipeline threatens our family and our livelihood," Posusta told the PUC. "The possibility of a leak or spill would always be there. A leak or spill would cause irreversible damage to our farm and our home."

Let's look at that again. Agents for the Minncan pipeline threatened farmers that they would force the pipeline through their property if they did not sign easement agreements. An administrative law judge even stated that the landowners were sometimes treated poorly in the process. Yet, they are going to approve this thing?

Where is the justice behind this.

More to come in the morning...

I have written and called all my locally elected officials and it's about time to start holding people accountable.

An Anna Nicole Smith connection to the pipeline?

Oh wow do I suck! I cannot believe I failed to stumble across this beforehand.

We all know that Koch Industries is working hard to build the MinnCan pipeline through the heart of Minnesota.

What most of us probably do not know, is that Anna Nicole Smith's former husband was a co-founder of Koch Industries.

All joking aside, it adds another element to my previous post and ties things together in a neat little bow heh!