This is a letter we received from David Daniel, a landowner in Texas who’s property is threatened by TransCanada’s Keystone XL.  He gave us permission to share his thoughts on some recent TransCanada developments with you:

TransCanada is passing the buck like you’d pass a hot potato. After sending a copy of the NRDC report that details how tarsands pipelines, like TransCanada’s Keystone XL, present unaddressed hazards to public safety, our local media station, CBS 19, in Tyler started asking TransCanada for a response. After several attempts, a week went by and finally the response came on Dec. 22. 

Neal's got a regular series featuring this chimp and his signs.  We're delighted to have the pipeline included.

For 97 years now, farmers and ranchers from across the state have gathered to craft policy at the Nebraska Farmers Union State Convention.  The purpose of this event is to give State Office representatives, such as myself, a set of guidelines to be carried out on behalf of family farmers and ranchers across Nebraska.  It also gives producers in their respective areas an opportunity to voice their opinions on issues that impact them.

Shortly after harvest time, counties from all across the state hold local meetings and send delegates on their county’s behalf.  They represent members’ beliefs on current policy or new issues that are not yet covered.  In addition, the Nebraska Farmers Union (NEFU) delegation crafts a series of ‘Special Orders of Business’ that deal with evolving current issues which require immediate action.

Earlier this week, at the request of Senators Dubas and Sullivan, our state senate held a hearing on the TransCanada pipelines.  We will post a full summary of the hearing over the weekend, but wanted to include one of the testimonies that was submitted (see below) to the committee.  Only two people spoke in support of the pipeline--a representative from TransCanada and a representative from a union.  All of the citizens and landowners who testified were either opposed or had major concerns and questions about safety, impact on Sandhills, long-term affect on the Ogalalla Aquifer and legal rights of landowners.

Today, the Farmers Union will hold the first-ever "debate" between TransCanada and a group that is opposed to the pipeline, in this case Plains Justice.  They will each have 20 minutes to make their case and then take questions from the audience.  The public is welcome.  You can read more details here.

The No Tar Sands Oil Coalition is launching a new, nationwide campaign (video below) to push back on TransCanada's proposed Keystone XL pipeline which would pump the world's dirtiest oil through Nebraska's most precious resource, the Ogallala Aquifer.

Before the Thanksgiving holiday, Bold Nebraska, Nebraska Wildlife Federation, Nebraska Sierra Club along with Nebraska landowners and citizens invited Plains Justice to report on TransCanada's inadequate emergency response plan for the Keystone I pipeline.  We also took a copy of the report to Gov. Heineman and Attn. Gen. Bruning to encourage them to act on the pipeline.

View the Full Report on the inadequate Emergency Response plan for TransCanada's current pipeline in Nebraska called Keystone I.

Plenty of news stories, random thoughts, ideas, etc. cross our emails and twitter accounts over the weekend, so we thought we would throw a few of these ramblings into a post.  Feel free to debate them, offer your ideas or just tell us something is simply not true.

A look ahead:

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made some confusing remarks about the Keystone XL pipeline last week in front of the Common Wealth Club of San Francisco.  Clinton gave the impression that approval for the pipeline is moving forward, but she frequently referred to the Alberta Clipper -- a pipeline already in place and pumping.

Senators Nelson and Johanns have responded quickly and asked the Secretary to clarify her remarks.  Bold Nebraska agrees with the senators.  We must put science before politics and do everything to protect our water and the sandhills.