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Exclusive: Firm Can Move Controversial Pipeline, But Won’t
News Articles | Nebraska Watchdog | Joe Jordan | September 09, 2010
Read the full article on the originating site
A Canadian company planning to build an oil pipeline across Nebraska could find a less controversial route for the pipeline, but TransCanada tells Nebraska Watchdog it has no plans to make that move.
Critics have complained that TransCanada’s XL Pipeline would put the precious Ogallala Aquifer in Nebraska– one of the world’s largest underground bodies of water– in jeopardy should the pipeline ever leak.
In a recent statement to Nebraska Watchdog, company spokesman Terry Cunha acknowledges that it is possible to reroute the pipeline but gives no indication that TransCanada would consider a detour. According to Cunha, “It is physically possible to select a route around the Ogallala but doing so would increase overall impacts and would be inconsistent with any risk to the aquifer represented by the pipeline in its current route.”
By some estimates the Ogallala provides at least 80 percent of Nebraska’s drinking water and 30 percent of the state’s irrigation supply. One of the pipeline’s opponents, Jane Kleeb of Bold Nebraska, tells Nebraska Watchdog (see video below) the pipeline which is set to stretch across 255 mile of Nebraska “should be rerouted from going into the Ogallala Aquifer, that is a huge danger and I’m not willing to risk our water supply.”
Asked by Nebraska Watchdog if Bold Nebraska is opposed to any pipeline Jane Kleeb says, “Well our first choice is no pipeline.”
In recent weeks at least two Nebraska Republicans have raised questions about the pipeline. In an interview with Nebraska Watchdog, Senator Mike Johanns (NE-R) said he needs more answers before he gives the project his stamp of approval. At the same time Johanns said, “I’m not at a stage where you say move it, just simply because we’re not at that stage.”
On August 23rd State Senator Tony Fulton of Lincoln, who is a mechanical engineer, wrote a letter to TransCanada expressing several concerns, including the pipeline’s path. Fulton wants to know if the pipeline can be moved to the east, avoiding the Ogallala and using the right of way of an existing TransCanada pipeline. According to Fulton’s legislative office, Fulton has yet to hear from the company.
The U.S. State Department is reviewing the pipeline project. A final decision is apparently still several weeks away.
Nebraska Watchdog asked TransCanada for an on camera interview. The company decided to issue a written statement. Jane Kleeb did speak with Nebraska Watchdog on camera.
Tagged with: keystone xl, transcanada, nebraska, bold nebraska
