Victory for 'dirty oil' opponents as Nebraska judge strikes down law allowing Keystone XL pipeline to pass through state
A judge in Nebraska has struck down a law that allowed the Keystone XL pipeline to proceed through the state, in a major victory for opponents who have tried to block the project that would see oil carried from Canada to Texas refineries.
The decision came as pressure was building on President Barack Obama to make a decision on the pipeline.
The ruling was a victory for pipeline opponents, including environmentalists who say Keystone XL would carry 'dirty oil' that contributes to global warming and Nebraska ranchers and farmers who fear it could hurt their water supply.
TransCanada Corp.'s pipeline is critical in Canada's efforts to export its growing oil sands production. Supporters say it will create thousands of jobs and move the U.S. toward North American energy independence.
At issue in Wednesday's ruling was a 2012 law that allowed Gov. Dave Heineman to approve the route through Nebraska. The governor's approval gave Calgary-based TransCanada the power to use eminent domain on landowners who deny the company access to their property.
Three landowners filed a lawsuit saying the decision should have been made by the Public Service Commission, a decision that Lancaster County Judge Stephanie Stacy agreed with.
Attorney General Jon Bruning's office plans to appeal the ruling to the Nebraska Supreme Court.
A spokesman for pipeline developer TransCanada said company officials were disappointed and disagreed with the decision. The company planned to review the ruling before deciding how to proceed.
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Great to hear this Larry.
The claims about jobs, secure oil supply have been disproven many times.
And the nonsense about allowing them eminent domain has simply got to stop.
Private profitis notan eminent domain application of 'public use'. But, I guess there is some obscure legal riff that says I'm wrong. (((looks down and spits)))
''public use'', seems to be a moving target when it comes down to it.
Truly disgusting IMO.
Notice it is the landowners who are stepping up and pressing charges. I guess their next election may be short an incumbent. About time the public woke up and decided to take some action in their own defense. We know the government wont protect us any more. There's more money in foreign government pockets.
It's time we stopped letting our government sell America to the highest bidder.
And here I thought that eminent domain was reserved for govt projects [US only ] . Is it possible that eminent domain is illegal for a foreign entity ?
Petey, it's my understanding that US companies own much of these ''Canadian'' companies. Perhaps that explains how this is being done by a supposed foreign entity.
Thanks for the 411 . Big companies have too much GD power ...
I checked into this almost two years ago, and that is what I remember.
Your right, they have way to much power. It's all about money with politicians.
Big Oil is so inbred that there is no way to tell who your actually doing business with at any given time.