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Letters to the Editor: CO2 pipelines; mental health support

CO2 pipelines are everyone’s concern!

By Renee Bartling, Rockford

Y ou may or may not have heard of the CO2 pipeline projects that are being proposed throughout Iowa. But what you do need to know is that these private-for-profit companies are planning on using eminent domain to acquire the land as necessary to install these pipelines.

Property owners are being forced into entering into an easement agreement or facing eminent domain. Eminent domain is intended for public utilities, not private-for-profit companies.

When I first went to the Summit CO2 Pipeline informational meetings I really wasn’t very concerned since I knew eminent domain only applies to public utilities. Boy was I wrong.

These pipeline companies have attorney, consultant and acquisition resources (many out-of-state) that are bypassing the public utilities intent. Federal tax incentives are being used to make millions for these private-for-profit companies.

Many think that this is a rural or farming issue, but it is every Iowan’s issue.

This use of eminent domain is a very dangerous precedent. Public lands and properties within city limits will not be exempt. Favorite hunting, fishing and natural areas will be subjected to eminent domain.

What if a private company decides that your house/property is the perfect location for an electric car charging station or solar collection site? This eminent domain precedent means you lose your property.

I encourage you to contact your representatives and elected officials and tell them not to let eminent domain be used for any private-for-profit companies.

Please read the April 25 Reuters article, “U.S. Midwest Carbon Pipeline’s Backers Have Close Ties to Iowa Government.” https://news.yahoo.com/u-midwest-carbon-piplines-backers-110800203.html.

This is a case where our Iowa government is not “We the People” but “We the Rich.” It needs to anger and scare each and every Iowan!

— Editor’s note: The Iowa Utilities Board has not yet ruled whether eminent domain will be allowed for either carbon pipeline project.

Advocates for mental health support

By Kris Brooks, Mason City

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. As a volunteer and advocate with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, this month I am asking everyone to join us and demand #MoreForMentalHealth.

I lost my son 6½years ago, due to PTSD, anxiety, depression and Stressors I can’t even imagine. Suicide struck my family with unbelievable loss and pain.

In his memory, I want to help those who are struggling and those who have also experienced loss due to mental health disorders. #SuicideStopsHere #EndTheStigma

I am doing more by calling on my legislators at the federal and state levels to support legislation that will fund the implementation of 988 and the suicide and mental health crisis system across our nation, particularly for those in under-served communities.

Currently, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available at 1-800-273-8255 and de-escalates the crises of tens of thousands of callers each day.

On July 16, those in distress and those that support them will be able to reach the Lifeline through a simple 3-digit number: 988.

By making the Lifeline more accessible through this shorter number, calls, texts, and chats to the Lifeline’s network of crisis call centers are expected to increase.

It is vital that the federal government work with states to ensure callers in distress will have: 1) someone to call, 2) someone to come help, and 3) somewhere safe to go.

We must act now to secure funding to equip call centers and community crisis response services throughout the country with the staff and resources to respond to everyone in crisis.

Join me this month in urging our federal and state public officials to do #MoreForMentalHealth. You can start by visiting moreformentalhealth.org.

Together, we can help #StopSuicide.

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