Editorials: Protecting speech

The best bill the Iowa Legislature might pass this session will protect your free-speech rights and is sponsored by two of the most conservative politicians: Rep. Steve Holt of Denison and Sen. Jason Schultz of Schleswig. The bill would add Iowa to a list of 35 states with anti-SLAPP (strategic lawsuits against public participation) protections.

The law would require a judge to dismiss within 60 days a lawsuit over exercising free speech rights.

Recently, former Congressman Steve King, R-Kiron, said he received threatening communications from Summit Pipeline for criticizing its project, along with the left-leaning Sierra Club. President Trump and lesser politicians sued The Des Moines Register and pollster Ann Selzer for publishing Iowa Poll results that did not comport with general election results. These are the types of situations that an anti-SLAPP law would protect against.

The anti-SLAPP provision has support from liberals and conservatives interested in a free and vigorous public debate. It is gratifying to see.

Dam undone by climate

A three-judge panel ruled Feb. 4 that the Linn Grove dam was undone by a doubling of flow rates in the Little Sioux River over the past half-century and was not the result of county neglect. Therefore, FEMA should pay $7.5 million to help repair it. Which is what we said a couple years ago. We could not for the life of us understand why the Biden Administration could not conceive of the dam as a victim of climate change. The appeal board got it. Biden did not deliver for Buena Vista County. It is one reason he lost.

Now, Rep. Randy Feenstra, R-Hull, should make sure we get paid.

The Trump and Musk Bros want to get rid of FEMA. They are trying to squirrel out of federal payment obligations. This is money owed, a judgment rendered. Feenstra should convince the Musk teen brigade that paying Buena Vista County will leave the Biden Administration with a black eye. If retribution works as a cause, use it. We have to get that dam fixed right so the river doesn’t undermine the downstream bridge as water flows continue to increase.

Northern Iowa rains have become much more extreme. Drainage systems have expanded to move those torrents away. Infrastructure on our rivers cannot handle it. Spencer was under water. This is our reality.

Good that justice was done, if FEMA actually pays up. Good that the truth was reiterated: This was all about climate change and extreme rain. No hoax.

Wind still blows juice

President Trump is trying to undo the Biden Administration’s renewable energy initiatives, which has a lot of folks worried that wind and solar energy will be ignored. It was reassuring to read an essay in The New York Times by Dr. Michael Webber, an engineering professor at the University of Texas, which essentially says: It’s too late, baby.

Trump has halted new wind energy permitting, slashed funding to build out a vehicle fast-charging network, and withdrawn billions of dollars for battery projects. It will definitely throttle the conversion from a fossil fuel economy to a renewable energy economy.. It’s been happening for a long time.

Iowa and Texas lead the nation in wind energy production. We have been erecting wind turbine complexes for over 30 years. There is solid support here in the corridor of wind farms among the public whose schools benefit from the property tax revenues, and who enjoy lower power rates than places without nearby low-cost generation complexes. Now, those turbines are being rebuilt to generate more power more efficiently, bringing down costs further. Even the coal capital of Wyoming is enthusiastic about wind and solar as we seek an all-of-the-above energy strategy that steers toward low-cost renewables.

Much of the Inflation Reduction Act’s benefits flow to rural, red districts like ours. Republican House members will squawk if there are serious interruptions to pending renewable projects.

Trump has ranted against wind turbines for many years. He couldn’t stop them before, and he surely can’t stop the progress now. Slow it down and make it frustrating, yes, he can do that. He can bluster.