Though controversial, I think the Keystone Pipeline should be built. (Eric, of course, reminds me that “not all of us at 2GR agree.”) However, it now looks as though it may actually come to pass. A report released by the state of Nebraska late last week contains the evaluation that the pipeline “could have minimal environmental impacts in Nebraska.”
Originally proposed in 2008, Keystone became very controversial in Nebraska after the Obama administration rejected a permit for the pipeline last year. The new pipeline route proposed by Transcanada, who is running the project, avoids the environmentally sensitive Sand Hills region that was the focus of so much concern. Though the new route avoids fragile areas and regions with shallow groundwater, the line would still cross the Ogallala Aquifer, an irrigation and drinking water source.
Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman (R) now has 30 days to make a final recommendation to the U.S. government about whether to build or not. For its part, TransCanada seems confident it will soon get permission. Extending from Alberta to Steele City, Nebraska construction would start this year and the pipeline would be in operation by 2015.
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