Posted By: Cole Miller
Cmiller@klkntv.com
TransCanada says the new route avoids environmentally sensitive areas in Nebraska, but opponents disagree.
The process to build the Keystone XL pipeline has been a long one and officials say they aren't giving up. Yet, opponents say they'll continue to push for changes.
Early Wednesday, Transcanada submitted an alternative route for the Keystone XL project.
A spokesman with the company says they've listened to hundreds of Nebraskans and this new route should avoid sensitive areas of land.
"This is a route that completely avoids the Sandhills region of Nebraska as it is officially defined by the state and federal authorities," said Grady Semmens with TransCanada.
Here's a look at what they've submitted to the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality... Up north, near Boyd County, the pipeline would move east to avoid "sandy, erodible soils."
It moves east to the south as well.. This time to avoid a well head near Clarks. It then moves west of a well head near Western. Officials say these changes will add roughly 20 more miles of pipeline, bringing the total to 275 miles across the state.
However Bold Nebraska spokesman Ben Gotschall says the project still threatens fragile land.
"Regardless of what has changed, what is still the same is that the route still crosses the Aquifer."
The NDEQ will now review the proposal and send a report to the governor. Officials with the Canadian–based company say demand for the pipeline remains high.
"We're committed to building it and we're hoping that it will certainly move forward and that the American government will recognize the benefits and need for it for the United States in terms of energy security and as well as the jobs it will provide," said Semmens.
And those at Bold Nebraska say the new route will affect new people, and that their voices must be heard.
"Well, ideally, I think the concerns of the citizens and landowners and the people along the route will be considered," said Gottschall.
The state's report will made public this fall and open for comment. The governor will then have 30 days to either approve or deny it. The governor denied the route proposal last time around.
To read the full report and see the map, click on this link:
https://ecmp.nebraska.gov/deq-seis/
