As the Nebraska state legislature considers legislation that will hastily fast track a route review of TransCanada’s Keystone XL tarsands pipeline, and undo laws passed last year during the historic Special Session, a few important points remain critically unaddressed: 

• Nebraska’s state constitution forbids any law being passed for the benefit of one company. The pipeline bill (LB 1161) and the various amendments from state senators trying to “fix” the bill come up short on the legal front and are long on handouts to TransCanada. Gov. Heineman just vetoed a bill yesterday because it created a "closed class" and is unconstitutional special legislation, citizens expect him to do the same on this bill.
• After promising in January it would provide a new route to Nebraska within days, TransCanada is now refusing to disclose a new route.  Instead, TransCanada will only identify a “corridor” and will only do that if the Unicameral passes a bill that fast tracks their project and gives them immediate eminent domain authority—all paid for by Nebraskans to the tune of $2 million.
• The Sandhills and Ogallala Aquifer are both still at risk since Nebraska does not have anything in writing from TransCanada or in state law to avoid these sensitive areas. Meanwhile, landowners are on pins and needles not knowing if their land will be threatened by tarsands and eminent domain.

"When you fast track a project you cut corners and no one should cut corners when folks land and water is at risk. 

Bold and partner groups are hosting a series of meetings to update the community on the status of TransCanada’s rejected Keystone XL, the possibilities of a new application, happenings in Washington and to get input on Nebraska’s Public Service Commission (PSC) public comment process for certifying oil pipeline routes.

Our goal of the community meetings is to not only give updates on the pipeline, but to get input on what we as citizens and landowners think the PSC should consider when analyzing and certifying oil pipeline routes.

The President is traveling to Cushing on Thursday to show support for domestic oil production and support for a TransCanada pipeline that would go from OK to the TX port (and then off to the highest bidder from a refinery owned by Saudi Arabia).

We wanted to give folks a quick update on the Nebraska route and where we stand on the President's visit.

Update 3/13, 11am: The Natural Resources Committee voted out Sen. Smith's bill that gives TransCanada special treatment, leaves landowners to fight to protect their property rights and violates Nebraska's constitution. Our press release is below. Save March 30th for a citizen action to protest LB 1161.

Bought Off by TransCanada, Forgotten Nebraska Roots

The Senate voted down an amendment that would have given immediate approval to the Keystone XL export pipeline. Jane Kleeb, our Executive Director, made the following statement:

"Today's vote is an official record of who sides with Nebraskans, our land and water and who sides with TransCanada and their Big Oil allies.

Update: At 1:30pm CT, March 8, the debate and votes begin on the various Keystone XL amendments. Some will do great things like demand TransCanada uses American steel and not imported steel from India and ensure the oil stays in the United States. Other amendments will reverse the President's denial and approve the KXL pipeline for immediate construction.

Watch the US Senate floor debate at 1:30pm CT, click here.