Big crowd expected for Keystone XL pipeline hearing

Hearing will be Tuesday, Dec. 4, at Boone County Fairgrounds
Information Session: 3 to 5:30 p.m. at Casey Building
Public Hearing: 6 p.m. at Event Center
Both supporters and opponents of the Keystone XL crude oil pipeline are expected to turn out in force for an information session and public hearing in Albion next Tuesday, Dec. 4.
Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ) will be conducting both the information session and hearing to explain its evaluation of the proposed rerouting of the pipeline in Nebraska to avoid the Sandhills.
That reroute brings up the first key point of contention between pipeline opponents and supporters.
Opposing groups, including BOLD Nebraska, contend the proposed new route still passes through land with Sandhills characteristics, including fragile sandy soils and high water tables. And, they say, it will still carry tarsands oil and dangerous chemicals over the Ogallala Aquifer.
Supporting groups, including Nebraskans for Jobs and Energy Independence, say the new pipeline route avoids all areas that have been officially designated as Sandhills by a number of state and federal agencies.
Details in the Nov. 28 Print & Electronic Editions of the Albion News and Petersburg Press.