Holding Corporate Polluters Accountable
Nate Willems' plan to make polluters pay to clean up the mess they make — and to make sure Iowans know when their air, land, and water have been contaminated.
In Shell Rock, Iowa, an ethanol plant released cancer-causing toxins into the air for three years. The company knew. The families living next to it were kept in the dark.
When the case reached the attorney general's office, Brenna Bird refused to seek additional penalties. Afterward, the company's CEO poured $100,000 into her re-election campaign.
"Iowa's cancer rates are skyrocketing and Brenna Bird has refused to use her position as attorney general to do anything about it. When big corporations pollute our air, land, or water, they should be held accountable," said Nate Willems. "The Iowa Attorney General's Office should work for the people, not greedy corporations who put their bottom line over our health and safety. As attorney general I will make polluters pay to clean up the mess they make, and ensure penalties are strong enough to stop this from happening again."
How Willems will hold polluters accountable
Real Penalties, and Prosecution, For Real Damage
Willems will work with the Department of Natural Resources to pursue real penalties by prosecuting corporate polluters who damage our land, air, and water — something Brenna Bird has failed to do. Penalties should deter greedy corporate polluters, and Willems will seek damages above the $10,000 DNR maximum when they cause cancer or otherwise endanger Iowans.
No Money From Corporate Polluters
Willems will not accept contributions from any company, or any executive of a company, which is being actively investigated by the office or who has been found guilty of polluting Iowa's air, land, or water.
Increased Transparency on Corporate Pollution
The attorney general's office will publish an annual report, and create an online database, listing corporate pollution incidents that have been referred to the office and the outcome of those referrals. This will allow Iowans to see where additional penalties or charges have been pursued and where toxic pollution has occurred across the state.
Mandatory Local Notification
The attorney general's office will notify residents in the vicinity of pollution incidents when settlements have been reached, giving full transparency into the settlement.