(D-Ne) Nelson: Don't wait on feds to change (Keystone XL) pipeline route

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Omaha World Herald

By Paul Hammel

LINCOLN — U.S. Sen. Ben Nelson urged Nebraska lawmakers on Wednesday to pass a bill to direct routing of crude-oil pipelines instead of waiting to see whether federal regulators are seeking a new route for the controversial Keystone XL pipeline.

The Associated Press and Reuters both reported, using unnamed sources, that the U.S. Department of State was now pursuing a new route for the 36-inch pipeline that would bypass Nebraska's ecologically sensitive Sand Hills.

That step, the reports said, would delay a final decision on the $7 billion, 1,700-mile-long for at least a year, until after the 2012 elections.

Nelson, during a teleconference call with reporters, said he wasn't sure if the reports are true.


Read more: http://www.omaha.com/article/20111109/NEWS01/711099786#nelson-don-t-wait-on-feds-to-change-pipeline-route

[Autumn]

1. Bull shit

if the decision isn't already made why are the pipes being delivered? No company is going to spend that kind of money shipping large loads of pipe like that company has, unless they have a done deal.

[prairierose]

2. That's what I am afraid of too. It's all just crumbs thrown out...

to make the little people shut up.

[Autumn]

3. Worse. They think that they can keep this hidden

until after the election. They know this will piss people off.

[freedom fighter jh]

4. What happens may depend on how much more obvious climate change becomes before then.

Climate change is becoming undeniable. It's getting to the point where even right-wing extremists can't deny it. They are trying to say it's natural, but I think that that becomes less believable as climate change accelerates.

If next year's average global temperature is 2 degrees higher than any other year in recorded history and we have twice as many hurricanes as ever before and then in October we get several snowstorms while the leaves are still green on the trees, then maybe Obama will remember the process -- it's a "national interest determination" and what's devastating to the planet can't possibly be good for the U.S. -- and deny the permit because allowing the pipeline would be so obviously egregious that he would know that to issue the permit would be to destroy the planet and possibly bring destruction on himself.

[wordpix]

5. At the Stop XL Pipe rally Sun., Bill McKibben predicted O will decide against the pipeline

could be wishful thinking but maybe he has inside info? :shrug:

[Autumn]

6. I'm very puzzled as to why TransCanada is already

shipping the pipe here to be stockpiled in Gascoyne, N.D. if they don't have a lock on an approval.

[Firebrand Gary]

9. We know there is pipe being shipped but do we have confirmation

That it is specifically for the XL? North Dakota is having their own boom time at the moment, could those pipes be for a different project.

[Autumn]

11. I saw where an article where a TransCanada pipeline

spokesman confirmed the pipe yard is in preparation for Keystone XL, adding that such yards are located "throughout the U.S. and part of Canada. "in preparation for" sounds to me they think they have a go.:shrug:

I don't know how to link but alp227 posted an article on it in LBN yesterday.

[Enthusiast]

7. Ben Nelson = filthy Republican.

[joeglow3]

8. Great. Maybe we can get another $150+ million fine for the state.

Sorry, but we need the Federal government to handle this so we don't get screwed again.

[leftyohiolib]

10. HEY BEN WHY NOT HAVE IT ROUTED RIGHT UP YOUR ASS

YOU GREASY TURD

[julian09]

13. DUMP NELSON IN 2012 don't just complain.

This is just one reason among many.

[Hotler]

12. It is a done deal and there is nothing we can do about it. eom.