Hundreds have packed the Community Center Building at the Boone Fairgrounds for the Baaken pipeline hearing.

Hundreds have packed the Community Center Building at the Boone Fairgrounds for the Baaken pipeline hearing.

Security is tight at the Iowa Utilities Board hearing in Boone today for the proposed Baaken oil pipeline.

State Troopers are searching the bags of everyone entering the hearing building. Boone police are on hand with a dog to check for weapons and explosives.

An overflow crowd  at the Community Center Building on the Boone County Fairgrounds is listening to arguments for and against awarding a construction permit for the pipeline. 

The speakers are alternating between those for and against the pipeline.  Each speaker is given two minutes to state their case and the microphone is cut off  shortly after the clock counts down to zero and the screen turns read.

The comments will continue throughout the day.