Iowa Capitol

Joint Statement by Senator Rob Hogg and Representative Bobby Kaufmann on Keystone XL Pipeline:

BIPARTISAN OPPOSITION TO KEYSTONE PIPELINE IN IOWA BECAUSE OF EXPECTED USE OF EMINENT DOMAIN

DES MOINES– Two Iowa state legislators– Senator Rob Hogg (D-Cedar Rapids) and Representative Bobby Kaufmann (R-Wilton)– joined today to call on Congress to oppose the proposed Keystone XL pipeline because of the expected use of eminent domain in the development of the project.

“I urge you to stand with those land-owners who do not want this pipeline running through their property,” wrote Rep. Kaufmann in a letter to Congressman Dave Loebsack of Iowa’s Second Congressional District.  “The interests in oil profits should not supersede the rights of property owners.”

 “It is not in America’s national interests to allow a foreign oil company to condemn American farms and ranches to take foreign oil to the Gulf Coast for sale on the global market,” wrote Sen. Hogg in a letter to Congressman Bruce Braley of Iowa’s First Congressional District.  “The Keystone pipeline threatens America’s land, water, and wildlife– Congress should say no, the State Department should say no, and President Obama should say no.”

Senator Hogg and Representative Kaufmann’s letters were also submitted to the U.S. State Department in advance of the March 7 deadline for public comments on the Environmental Impact Statement on the proposal.  The public can submit comments at the following web address:  http://www.keystonepipeline-xl.state.gov/

Download PDF of Senator Hogg’s letter to Rep. Bruce Braley here.

Download PDF of Rep. Kaufmann’s letter to Rep. Dave Loebsack here.