Nebraska Supreme Court hears oral arguments in Keystone XL pipeline case

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Omaha World Herald

By Joe Duggan

LINCOLN — The Nebraska Supreme Court now must decide whether one elected official or five should have the authority to set the state’s route for the highly contested Keystone XL pipeline.

The high court heard oral arguments Friday in a constitutional challenge that could play a role in deciding the fate of a massive Canadian pipeline that has been awaiting approval from the United States for nearly six years.

Supporters and opponents of the project turned out in force Friday, listening to the court proceedings in an overflow room outside the Supreme Court and holding dueling press conferences to predict a forthcoming judicial victory for their side.

For 30 minutes inside the court room, the seven judges quizzed lawyers who argued for and against a 2012 state law that gave one elected official — the governor — authority to approve major oil pipelines.

FULL story at link below photos.



LINCOLN JOURNAL STAR

An overflow crowd listens to arguments presented to the Nebraska Supreme Court on Friday.



LINCOLN JOURNAL STAR

From left, Susan Dunavan, Suz Straka and Randy Thompson talk outside the Nebraska Supreme Court on Friday. The three landowners who live on or near the proposed Keystone XL pipeline route argued the State Constitution requires the authority to approve major oil pipelines to remain either with the Legislature or the five independently elected members of the Public Service Commission, not the governor.


Read more: http://www.omaha.com/news/crime/nebraska-supreme-court-hears-oral-arguments-in-keystone-xl-pipeline/article_0b9e5b7c-350e-11e4-950a-0017a43b2370.html

[Louisiana1976]

1. I hope Nebraska's Supreme Court rules against the pipeline. The pipeline will add to carbon

emissions that cause global warming.

[Calista241]

2. We've already lost this fight. The Canadians are going to mine this crap

The only question is who is going to refine it.

Please be aware I'm not a climate denier. I believe in global climate change. Over population and over consumption have had serious negative consequences for the our planet. But this particular fight is a lost cause.