'Spirited group' protests refinery
Hyperion pledges 'green' energy center
Posted: Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Hyperion protesters carry signs in front of the Elk Point Hyperion office during an Earth Day demonstration Tuesday, April 22, 2008. (Jim Lee/Sioux City Journal)
ELK POINT, S.D. -- Craig Nearman strapped on a gas mask Tuesday while joining about 40 others marching in protest against the backdrop of Hyperion Resources' downtown Elk Point office.
If the oil refinery proposed by Hyperion is built in Union County, residents should get used to wearing gas masks, Nearman said. Other protesters carried signs with messages like "Benzene is not a fertilizer" and "Green means vote no" for Tuesday's protest, which coincided with the annual celebration of Earth Day.
"I like our rivers, clean streams and air. And I want to keep it that way," Nearman said.
Organizers said holding the protest on Earth Day would increase its effectiveness.
Last month, Union County officials approved Hyperion's application to rezone more than 3,200 acres of farmland as the refinery site. County voters will be asked to ratify that decision in a June 3 referendum.
Hyperion says its "green" energy center, which could carry a price tag between $9 billion and $10 billion, would have an annual economic impact of $13.7 billion.
"As our Green Charter dictates, we will provide Americans with the cleanest fuel, while having the least possible impact on the environment," said Hyperion project manager Preston Phillips.
The door to the company's office at 109 West Main St. was locked and the shades were closed prior to and during the protest. Hyperion spokesman Eric Williams said local officials closed the office to allow employees to pick up trash along rural roads in Union County in observance of Earth Day.
"This is one small thing we can do to help protect the environment in Union County and the region," said Phillips, who came to Elk Point to lead the local staff out to collect roadside trash. "It's part of our commitment to be good neighbors."
Protest organizer Kathy Lessek said she told people about the event on Sunday and didn't expect a big turnout.
"We need to stand up for the people of this whole planet, not just Union County," said Lessek to the crowd. "The only way to stop them is by voting no."
Lessek said there are plans to host similar protests in other Union County communities.
Although many protesters wore "Save Union County" buttons, the protest was not organized by the citizens group opposing the refinery.
The protest lasted about 30 minutes.
"I think it was a very spirited group. I think it went very well," said Liz Merrigan, a protester from Spink, S.D.
PHOTO GALLERY
http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/shared-content/gallery/?galleryid=2&gallery_page=0&album_page=0&albumid=574&mediaid=15585">See a gallery of photos from today's protest
The Hyperion project online
Get the latest Hyperion news and information and read our Hyperion blog at www.siouxcityjournal.com/hyperion.
If the oil refinery proposed by Hyperion is built in Union County, residents should get used to wearing gas masks, Nearman said. Other protesters carried signs with messages like "Benzene is not a fertilizer" and "Green means vote no" for Tuesday's protest, which coincided with the annual celebration of Earth Day.
"I like our rivers, clean streams and air. And I want to keep it that way," Nearman said.
Organizers said holding the protest on Earth Day would increase its effectiveness.
Last month, Union County officials approved Hyperion's application to rezone more than 3,200 acres of farmland as the refinery site. County voters will be asked to ratify that decision in a June 3 referendum.
Hyperion says its "green" energy center, which could carry a price tag between $9 billion and $10 billion, would have an annual economic impact of $13.7 billion.
"As our Green Charter dictates, we will provide Americans with the cleanest fuel, while having the least possible impact on the environment," said Hyperion project manager Preston Phillips.
The door to the company's office at 109 West Main St. was locked and the shades were closed prior to and during the protest. Hyperion spokesman Eric Williams said local officials closed the office to allow employees to pick up trash along rural roads in Union County in observance of Earth Day.
"This is one small thing we can do to help protect the environment in Union County and the region," said Phillips, who came to Elk Point to lead the local staff out to collect roadside trash. "It's part of our commitment to be good neighbors."
Protest organizer Kathy Lessek said she told people about the event on Sunday and didn't expect a big turnout.
"We need to stand up for the people of this whole planet, not just Union County," said Lessek to the crowd. "The only way to stop them is by voting no."
Lessek said there are plans to host similar protests in other Union County communities.
Although many protesters wore "Save Union County" buttons, the protest was not organized by the citizens group opposing the refinery.
The protest lasted about 30 minutes.
"I think it was a very spirited group. I think it went very well," said Liz Merrigan, a protester from Spink, S.D.
PHOTO GALLERY
http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/shared-content/gallery/?galleryid=2&gallery_page=0&album_page=0&albumid=574&mediaid=15585">See a gallery of photos from today's protest
The Hyperion project online
Get the latest Hyperion news and information and read our Hyperion blog at www.siouxcityjournal.com/hyperion.
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Looking Forward and Back wrote on Apr 24, 2008 12:29 PM:
whether it be for or against. This may or may not be the thing to do but I don't
see anyone standing up fighting to get cleaner fuel and alternative energy in this area. It is easier to insult each other. One last thing, go out to Lead, SD and see what has
been left since the mine closed out there. A nice big hole that will never be reclaimed. Is this what is going to happen north of Elk Point? A mess that can't and will never be cleaned up. "
Soooo whats the point wrote on Apr 23, 2008 11:56 PM:
Vote yes, living and driving.
Drive around Dakota Dunes.
Drive around Huddleston's 9 Million
Dollar Home in Dallas. What is your
boss and banker driving?
If your wondering about property prices
I would consider your Slum Lord Landlord
uping your rent 3 times. I don't think
anyone working at the refinery would want to sleep next to it, with their windows open.
"
youngen wrote on Apr 23, 2008 10:24 PM:
uc resident wrote on Apr 23, 2008 10:20 PM:
interesting wrote on Apr 23, 2008 8:47 PM:
There sure are a lot of gas guzzling pickups and SUV's behind those Vote No signs. Apparently, their hypocrisy knows no bounds.
Environmental concerns? I am not buying it.
"