But that was before the hoghouse. Now all we get from SB 190 is a lousy task force.
Well, I suppose I can't say lousy, since it remains to be seen what assessment they will make of the "the adequacy of state laws and regulations relating to pipelines in South Dakota." Of course, with a majority of the task force representing energy companies, there's that much likelihood that the task force report will say, "Our regulations are plenty adequate; let's pump some oil!"
The only member who looks clearly like a check on the Republican big-money Big-Oil cheering section is Mark Anderson, president of the South Dakota AFL-CIO. Anderson would have been a good pick for last year's Zaniya Project task force, given his advocacy for a better health care system. Dennis Davis, long-time executive director of the South Dakota Association of Rural Water Systems, might bring some water quality concerns to the table. But the governor evidently wasn't interested in picking anyone from an organization whose primary mission is environmental advocacy.
Not that what these fellas decide will put much of a dent in the ability of TransCanada and other oil interests to swipe your land and run big leaky pipes through it. SB 190 empowers the state to do nothing more than require pipeline companies to do paperwork. Still, if you know these fellas, give 'em a call, tell them how you think pipelines should be regulated:
- Gary Hanson, Pierre, commissioner, Public Utilities Commission, task force chairman;
- Dennis Davis, Sioux Falls, executive director, Association of Rural Water Systems, representing water pipelines;
- Gordon Woods, Pierre, vice president and Chief Operations Officer, South Dakota Intrastate Pipeline Company, representing natural gas pipelines;
- Daniel Holli, Belfield, North Dakota, environmental and regulatory specialist, Plains Pipeline, which is the only currently operating crude oil pipeline in South Dakota;
- Pete Bullene, Watertown, environmental health and safety director, Glacial Lakes Energy, representing ethanol;
- Troy Styer, Wolsey, president, South Dakota Pipeline Association, representing refined petroleum pipelines; and
- Mark Anderson, Sioux Falls, president, South Dakota AFL-CIO, representing public at large. [South Dakota State Government press release, 2008.07.18]
Go Big Oil
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