TransCanada agrees to take Keystone XL around Nebraska
WASHINGTON – TransCanada Corp. has agreed to route its proposed Keystone XL pipeline around Nebraska’s Sand Hills, where the water table from Ogallala Aquifer is often feet or just mere inches below the surface.
For months, TransCanada has said it would be impractical – and potentially more environmentally harmful to route the pipeline anywhere but the path it had chosen – on a straight line through the Sand Hills and the Ogallala Aquifer.
Moreover, TransCanada had been pushing back hard against Nebraska lawmakers who convened a special session this month to pass legislation that would give the state some siting authority over energy pipelines. The State Department’s decision gave both sides a push to start working together on the something different.
It’s a sign TransCanada remains committed to Keystone XL despite facing another long period of review – until early 2013 – before the U.S. will make a final decision.
The U.S. State Department still must give the final approval to the project because it crosses an international border. But the Obama Administration will likely not have to deal with the politically charged issue until after the 2012 election because of the time it takes to study a new route.
Here is TransCanada’s statement this evening on the developments. Below that you’ll find the statement from Bold Nebraska, a leading progressive group in the state that has been working with landowners to force the Calgary-based company to come up with a new route.
"I am pleased to tell you that the positive conversations we have had with Nebraska leaders have resulted in legislation that respects the concerns of Nebraskans and supports the development of the Keystone XL pipeline,” said Alex Pourbaix, TransCanada’s president, Energy and Oil Pipelines. “I can confirm the route will be changed and Nebraskans will play an important role in determining the final route.”
Working together with the State Department, Nebraska’s Department of Environmental Quality will conduct an environmental assessment to define the best location for Keystone XL in Nebraska. We will cooperate with these agencies and provide them with the information they need to complete a thorough review that addresses concerns regarding the Sandhills region.
And here’s part of the statement from Bold Nebraska’s Jane Kleeb: “We are proud of citizens for pushing state leaders to do the right thing: requiring the pipeline be moved out of the Sandhills and establishing a state-based regulatory system. However, we do not trust Transcanada. They have bullied and mislead landowners and citizens. Because of that we will be watching them like a hawk to ensure our land and water are protected. We look forward to citizens participating with the Nebraska Department of Environmental quality to ensure a fair and transparent study of alternative routes is conducted.”
“For Nebraskans who have opposed the route through the Sandhills from the start, this is welcome news and a huge victory. Thanks to immense public pressure, the citizens beat Big Oil …
Today’s announcement also reinforces the Obama Administration’s decision to analyze the pipeline for another year. TransCanada will now face two thorough review processes at a state and federal level. In Nebraska, our state government will examine the environmental impact of the new route. The federal level will assess the environmental impacts of the entire pipeline, including information on greenhouse gas emissions and the impacts of tar sands on our water supply. Both of these reviews must be done in a fair, thorough, and transparent manner.
Nebraskans still have a lot of serious, important questions about this pipeline. We stand with our leaders including Speaker Flood who have listened to the voices of Nebraskans. We think that this victory is a shining moment in Nebraska’s history and a sign to all elected officials that citizens will hold them accountable.
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Transcanada agrees to take Keystone XL around Nebraska