A Michigan State Geoscientist is warning about a possible oil spill from a proposed crude oil pipeline that could bisect 18 Iowa counties.
I mean, long story short, crops cannot grow if there is an oil spill. - Geoscientist Bruno Basso
He was one of several guests who joined River to River’s Ben Kieffer to talk about the possible impact of the pipeline.
Dallas, Texas based Energy Transfer Partners says they intend to bury the pipeline between three to four feet deep across Iowa farm fields. But, Basso tells River to River’s Ben Kieffer that’s not deep enough.
“Three feet will not even be close to be safe for crop production. Roots will reach three to five feet, especially in those good Iowa soils. I mean, long story short, crops cannot grow if there is an oil spill.”
The company says it has permission from 80 percent of landowners along the proposed route to survey and that they will seek a permit to build the pipeline from the Iowa Utilities Board later this month.
During this hour of River to River, Ben Kieffer talks with Energy Transfer Partners Senior Vice President Joey Mahmoud; landowner Matthew Crowe; Iowa State University Economist Dave Swenson; and Laborers International Union of North America Field Representative Richie Schmidt.
