TransCanada Corp. will consider moving its $7 billion Keystone XL pipeline away from Nebraska's ecologically sensitive Sandhills region due to concerns from residents in the affected area.
Recently the Obama administration decided to delay approval of the Keystone XL oil pipeline until after next year's election following vehement protests from environmentalists.
Although the issue of moving the pipeline was one that the company noted would "seriously jeopardize" the project, Nebraskans will play a significant role in determining the final route TransCanada said in a media advisory released this week.
"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."
The Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality will take a lead role in an environmental impact study under legislation that was introduced by State Senator Mike Flood, after the state's legislature began a special session to move the gas pipeline due to its potential route through the Ogallala aquifier. TransCanada said it would cooperate with the agencies and provide them with the information they need to complete a thorough review that addresses concerns regarding the Sandhills region.
"They’re willing to go through a process that sites it out of the Nebraska Sandhills," Flood said of the company during a legislative debate. "This is a voluntary decision on their part and it is a major development on this issue."
According to TransCanada, once the pipeline is operational, Nebraska could see more than $150 million in property taxes to county and other local governments during the operating life of the pipeline - money that could be used to build new roads, schools and hospitals. Construction of the pipeline in Nebraska would consist of five or six new pump stations and over 275 miles of new pipeline.
Recently the Obama administration decided to delay approval of the Keystone XL oil pipeline until after next year's election following vehement protests from environmentalists.
Although the issue of moving the pipeline was one that the company noted would "seriously jeopardize" the project, Nebraskans will play a significant role in determining the final route TransCanada said in a media advisory released this week.
"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."
The Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality will take a lead role in an environmental impact study under legislation that was introduced by State Senator Mike Flood, after the state's legislature began a special session to move the gas pipeline due to its potential route through the Ogallala aquifier. TransCanada said it would cooperate with the agencies and provide them with the information they need to complete a thorough review that addresses concerns regarding the Sandhills region.
"They’re willing to go through a process that sites it out of the Nebraska Sandhills," Flood said of the company during a legislative debate. "This is a voluntary decision on their part and it is a major development on this issue."
According to TransCanada, once the pipeline is operational, Nebraska could see more than $150 million in property taxes to county and other local governments during the operating life of the pipeline - money that could be used to build new roads, schools and hospitals. Construction of the pipeline in Nebraska would consist of five or six new pump stations and over 275 miles of new pipeline.