(Spirit Lake)– Dickinson County Attorney Steve Goodlow has addressed a complaint over an alleged conflict of interest involving a proposed carbon capture pipeline and supervisor Tim Fairchild, who owns land through which the proposed line is to go through. Goodlow, who has the responsibility of overseeing any conflicts of interest in his role as County Attorney, reported at today’s (Tues.) Board of Supervisors meeting he was recently notified of the matter by Zach Goodrich, Chairman of the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board. Goodlow says in his opinion, there has been no conflict…
“I don’t think this board has taken a position that we’re pro-pipeline or anti-pipeline. We just want to make sure whatever we’re doing is best for the citizens of Dickinson county.”
Goodlow says that’s why the county has hired an attorney that specializes in matters dealing with pipelines…
“Mr. Whipple’s hiring came after some of the board members had seen him at ISAC and after at one of our meetings one of the citizens had suggested we reach out to him. And we did. And we did hire him. And he’s working for us to figure out what’s best for Dickinson county as this permitting process at I-U-B continues and goes from there. So with those things said, I got this email, I mean it’s kind of out of the blue, and so I contacted Mr. Goodrich myself, explained to him what I just explained to the board, he responded to me he didn’t have any questions. He was satisfied with what we’re doing.”
The supervisors themselves didn’t make any comments on the matter today (Tues.).
