The State of Nebraska will be able to influence the route of the controversial TransCanada Keystone XL pipeline, after a compromise won final approval in the state's government on Tuesday.
The deal would allow Nebraska to have input on the route of the oil pipeline and other pipeline projects. It takes the form of two new bills that regulate pipelines within the state, which have been signed into law by Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman.
One will subject the Keystone XL project to a state environmental review, while the second ensures the Public Service Commission to consider public submissions when weighing future oil projects.
The group leading the opposition to the pipeline, Bold Nebraska, says it will release details on its next moves later Tuesday. Member Jane Kleeb is expecting to brief the media on the critics' plans after the end of the special legislative session.
The pipeline, which would run from Alberta to the refineries in Texas, would cross 2,700 kilometres of land and has placed environmentalists and property owners in a heated battle against oil interests and those who want to sever ties with less savoury oil producers in the Middle East and Venezuela.
