More than 100 protest oil pipeline

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.omaha.com/article/20110105/NEWS01/701069929#more-than-100-protest-pipeline

Photo: http://www.omaha.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=OW&Date=20110105&Category=NEWS01&ArtNo=701069929&Ref=AR&maxw=490&maxh=275
Wednesday's protest outside the Nebraska State Capitol.
PAUL HAMMEL/THE WORLD-HERALD
Published Wednesday January 5, 2011

By Paul Hammel
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

LINCOLN – State lawmakers have a role to play, and should take an aggressive one in protecting the state’s water and landowners from potential problems associated with pipelines.

That was the message delivered Wednesday as more than 100 people demonstrated on the steps of the Nebraska State Capitol in opposition to the proposed Keystone XL crude-oil pipeline, which would cross a portion of the fragile and groundwater-rich Sand Hills.

The U.S. Department of State is deciding whether to approve the pipeline because it would cross an international border in carrying tar-sand oil from Canada to Gulf Coast refineries.

State officials, including Gov. Dave Heineman, have insisted that the state is powerless to affect the project since it is being reviewed by a federal agency.

But speakers at Wednesday’s rally said that was incorrect.

“This is not just a federal issue. We’re here to tell them they do have a role,” said Jane Kleeb, a rally organizer and founder of the BOLD Nebraska website.

FULL story at link.