Post 17A

Northwoods Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Brainerd/Pine River MN
September 29

This is really the 17th post, as there was no 16th. My error, sorry.

NUUF met at Arbor Glen in Brainerd on Saturday, to continue the discussion on the film Dirty Oil, viewed on September 14th. We did research on the history of pipeline development in MN as part of the distribution system for the tar sands oil originating in Alberta Canada, and from North Dakota oil shale fields. Since there is a current proposal before the MN Public Utilities Commission to expand Enbridge's lines over several of our local counties, we are thinking informed opposition would be advisable. Several actions were discussed. First, to promote education on the environmental impact of this expansion (was there an environmental impact study?); secondly, to contact local officials and politicians, asking for their position on this issue; thirdly, finding out just which townships the proposed pipeline will cross, and contacting persons in those townships to attend the local meetings where this will be discussed with the public; mount a letterwriting campaign to elected legislative and congressional people and in the local papers pointing out the hazards to air, water, and land of excavation and spills.
     We shared Winona LaDuke's paper called "Certificate of Greed: PUC should not grant Enbridge permit," written on July 13, 2013, as well as other printouts from the PUC and Star-Trib. Other resources mentioned were: Bold Nebraska; Idle No More; and Marty Kobenais, activist from Red Lake. We encourage folks to become knowledgeable on these issues, continue the conversation, and take such actions as you can.