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FACT CHECK: Did Native American Populations Have An Opportunity To Weigh In On DAPL?

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CLAIM: The Lakota People’s Law Project published a video – reflecting claims made elsewhere in the media – claiming that members of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe were not consulted during the planning process of the Dakota Access Pipeline.

“You have the burden to get the free, educated consent of the people who are affected. That absolutely wasn’t the case.” – Steve Martin, CEO, KS Energy.

“My main concern with DAPL is that they basically disregarded Indian input.” – Rodney Bordeaux, President, Rosebud Sioux Tribe.

 

RATING

False

 

FACT CHECK

As previously noted, the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe …

HYPOCRISY WATCH: Governor Cuomo Accuses Utility of Mishandling Gas Supply – After Denying Permits That Would Increase Gas Supply

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On the coldest day of the season yet, Governor Andrew Cuomo yesterday laid the blame for limited natural gas supplies in southern New York at the feet of utility companies – even though his administration has refused to approve permits for a pipeline project that would provide enough energy to fuel about 2.3 million homes in the region.

First, let’s look at the timeline around the governor’s handling of the Williams Pipeline:

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Protesters Block Delivery of Pipeline in Washington State

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From Louisiana to Ohio, Pennsylvania to Texas, anti-pipeline protesters continue to oppose the construction of much-needed energy infrastructure. Last week, protesters at the Port of Vancouver in Washington state prevented the unloading and delivery of pipeline that will be used in the expansion of the Trans Mountain Pipeline.

The Associated Press reported:

(At) least five people climbed up and chained themselves on the dock where the shipment is to be loaded off of.

Other “kayaktivists” were in the surrounding water, rallying behind the climbers to stop this project they say “is jeopardizing a livable future for everyone on this

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Ted Danson Calls for Legislation Restricting Production of “Single-Use Plastics”

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Actor and environmentalist Ted Danson urged Congress to pass legislation to reduce the production of “single-use plastics,” saying they are dangerous to the world’s oceans:

“We must stop the runaway increase of plastic production and reduce the amount of plastic companies make and are foisting on us, because it will last forever.”

“Recycling is like trying to mop up water from an overflowing bathtub while the faucet is still running. We need to turn off the faucet and reduce production of plastic,” he added.

Danson added that “[plastic] has been incredibly useful and now it has become incredibly dangerous.”

Danson’s …

FACT CHECK: Are “Single-Use” Plastics Worse for the Environment Than Alternatives?

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BACKGROUND

Single-use plastics are the new targets of policymakers and environmental advocates who believe that Americans’ way of life is incompatible with protecting the environment, leading to more and more legislation governing the use of everything from plastic bags to straws to Styrofoam containers to even some paper bags.

Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle are among the major cities with plastic bag bans in place. Vermont has placed restrictions on plastic straws. Hawaii’s largest island has banned non-biodegradable plastic bags at checkout.

Advocates are pushing to bring a plastics ban to Colorado as well:

The outrage was

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FACT CHECK: Does Ohio Law “Make Protesting a Crime”?

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CLAIM: The Columbus Dispatch published an editorial that claims pending legislation in Ohio designed to protect the safety of the public and workers on pipeline and other infrastructure projects “threatens to shut down free speech,” “(makes) protesting a crime” and “seems designed to intimidate people whose protests might inconvenience pipeline companies and cost them money.”

 

RATING

False

 

FACT CHECK

Like similar bills around the country, Senate Bill 33 in Ohio is very clear about what it sets out to do and why. It is designed to increase penalties for protesters who damage, disrupt or trespass at …

Sens. Warren, Markey Proposal Banning Natural Gas Infrastructure Projects

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Presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Sen. Ed Markey have introduced legislation that would ban infrastructure that is used to export liquified natural gas – the latest policy proposal that would limit American energy development and our nation’s ability to provide reliable, affordable energy to allies around the globe.

The Washington Examiner reports on the bill:

The legislation would bar the construction of natural gas compressor stations that facilitate gas exports.

Warren has been among the most aggressive presidential candidates in vowing to wean the U.S. off fossil fuels. She has pledged to end fracking for natural gas to

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FACT CHECK: Truthout Falsely Reports DAPL Leaked Toxins Into Standing Rock Water Supply Five Times Within First Six Months Of Operation

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An op-ed recently published in Truthout demonstrates how environmental activists sometimes play fast and loose with the truth when making their case against pipelines. Author Violet Glaser includes this inaccurate sentence in her opinion piece:

The Dakota Access Pipeline leaked toxins into the water supply of the Standing Rock Sioux five times within the first six months of its construction. 

 

FACT CHECK: False

There’s a lot to unpack in those 25 words:

  • The five leaks were considered minor by federal and state regulators and occurred within the pipeline easement at valve sites or pump stations.
  • None of the five
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Two Environmental Activists Charged In Dangerous DAPL Protests

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Federal prosecutors this week filed charges against two women who admitted to a series of acts of vandalism against the Dakota Access Pipeline in Iowa more than two years ago.

Ruby Montoya and Jessica Reznicek are charged with conspiracy to damage an energy facility, as well as four counts of malicious use of fire and the use of fire to commit a felony. The charges stem from setting fire to machinery and using torches to cut steel valves on the pipeline.

The New York Times provides a useful look at the dangerous tactics the women employed:

The women started

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New York Dems Break With Cuomo On Pipeline

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Six Democratic state senators from Long Island broke with the Cuomo administration to call for the approval of a proposed pipeline expansion project that would provide much-needed boost to the region’s natural gas supply.

In an Oct. 2 letter, the senators urged the Department of Environmental Conservation to approve the 24-mile pipeline known as the Northeast Supply Enhancement project. The DEC previously declined to issue key permits for the project, which forced  utilities in the region to impose moratoriums on new natural gas connections as a result of supply constraints.

“We write to you to urge you to approve …