Bill restarts (Keystone XL) pipeline process [View all]

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.omaha.com/article/20120217/NEWS01/702179904/0#bill-restarts-pipeline-process

By Paul Hammel

LINCOLN — A state senator urged Nebraska on Thursday to bypass the federal logjam over the proposed Keystone XL pipeline and restart its review of a pipeline route that would bypass the groundwater-rich Sand Hills.

Papillion Sen. Jim Smith said uncertainty over the Sand Hills bypass has played a role in holding up federal approval of the $7.6 billion project, and the sooner Nebraska approves a new route, the sooner the 1,700-mile-long pipeline from Canada's tar-sand region will be built.

"I'm a firm believer that energy independence and an affordable and ample supply of energy is critical, not only for the state but for our country," Smith said.

Representatives of Keystone XL developer TransCanada Inc. supported his bill Thursday to allow the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality to restart its review of a new pipeline route around the Sand Hills.

FULL story at link.