Vandals thought to be environmental activists are suspected of damaging three oil pipeline construction sites in central Iowa. It occurred at the Dakota Access pipeline and Jasper County Sheriff John Hafferty says there’s little doubt the fires were intentionally set. He estimated damage to a bulldozer and other large-tracked equipment at $1 million.
It was early Monday morning when his office was informed of a fire in a farm field several miles west of Newton. Deputies then learned of a second pipeline equipment fire southeast of the town of Reasnor. A third site with four damaged machines was north of Oskaloosa, according to the Newton Daily News.
Dakota Access is based in Texas and is a subsidiary of Energy Transfer Partners.
“It’s a shameful act by a group of people trying to disrupt our energy security and independence,” said the company in a statement. “We have increased security along the route and are actively pursuing the situation with law enforcement.
A company spokeswoman indicated if the vandals are caught, the firm plans to seek prosecution “both criminally and civilly”
“We will not tolerate this kind of activity,” said Lisa Dillinger.
Opponents to the pipeline have included environmental, American Indian and landowner rights groups who have vowed to continue with protests and so-called “acts of civil disobedience.”
“I’ve made lots of statements on this pipeline over the last two years and I’ve encouraged people to get ready for any nonviolent action possible but torching construction equipment was not on the list,” said Ed Fallon, director of Bold Iowa, a group promoting renewable energy and fighting fossil-fuel expansion projects.
The pipeline is meant to be 1,168 miles in length and carry Bakken crude oil from North Dakota through South Dakota, Iowa and Illinois. It crosses 18 Iowa counties and carries a project cost of $3.8 billion.