Iowa Governor Terry Branstad says the crude oil pipeline that’s being built through Iowa was approved through a “reasonable and fair” process and critics “need to respect the decision that’s been made.”

 

Branstad is NOT calling for an end to pipeline protests, however.

 

Branstad has been a long-term booster of renewable fuels, like ethanol. But Branstad says given U.S. consumption levels, “100 percent of motor fuel” cannot be renewable and that’s why the pipeline is being built.

Branstad says it’s important that protesters “not interfere with the workers who are building the pipeline.” A group of 40 protesters calling themselves “river guardians” began camping along the Des Moines River Saturday. Organizers positioned the campsite near where Dakota Access will drill UNDER the riverbed to extend the pipeline to the other side of the river.