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.

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.

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.

In the next few weeks there is a lot happening where you can ask questions and take action on the TransCanada pipeline.  While TransCanada continues their misinformation campaign about the merits of the pipeline, we continue to mobilize folks.  In Nebraska, we want to protect our land, water and economic activity.  

We might not have the millions TransCanada has, but we have all of you!

I must admit that until just recently Governor Dave Heineman’s position on the TransCanada Keystone XL pipeline baffled me.  He repeatedly said that he’s not taking a position on the pipeline because it’s a “federal regulatory” issue.  That left me scratching my head.  Since when has something being a federal issue stopped the Governor from taking a position?

Let’s take immigration for example.  Immigration is a federal issue.  Yet, Governor Heineman has not only made his strong opinions on immigration known, he effectively used the issue in the 2004 gubernatorial campaign.