Skip to content
Subscribe
Menu
Environmental Justice
Racial Justice
Body Politics
Political Power
Economic Power
Donate
Donate
Plan a Gift in Your Will
Manage My Donations
More
About YES!
Events
Teacher Resources
My Account
Magazine
Current Issue
The “Truth” Issue
FALL 2024
All Issues
DONATE
DONATE
Donate
About
Events
Environmental Justice
Racial Justice
Body Politics
Political Power
Social Justice
Economic Power
Get YES! Emails
Teacher Resources
My Account
Truth Fall 2024
All Issues
Republish this content
<h1>Keystone XL "At a Standstill" After Nebraska Ruling</h1> <div><div><div><p></p> <p>The Keystone XL pipeline project suffered a major setback this week with a Nebraska court ruling that will likely delay any final decision on the pipeline for at least another six months.</p> <blockquote>"If we stick together, and if we show that we can outlast all other lobbying and PR campaigns, than it is possible to win."</blockquote> <p>The District Court judge ruled in favor of three landowners—Randy Thompson, Susan Luebbe, and Susan Dunavan—who challenged a Nebraska law granting Gov. Dave Heineman and state environmental regulators special authority to approve pipeline projects. The governor used this new authority to approve Keystone XL's passage through the state, despite opposition from landowner and environmental groups.</p> <p>President Obama had been expected to make a decision on the pipeline at some point <a href="http://www.ibtimes.com/obama-wont-be-rushed-keystone-xl-pipeline-decision-white-house-says-1552877">this summer or later</a>. Now, the already contentious process is on hold. If the pipeline is again approved in Nebraska, it will likely go through a lengthy rerouting process before going back to the president for a final decision.</p> <p>Dave Domina, the attorney who represented the landowners, said in a news release that the pipeline company TransCanada now "has no approved route in Nebraska. TransCanada is not authorized to condemn the property against Nebraska landowners. The pipeline project is at standstill in this state."</p> <p>TransCanada's spokesperson, Shawn Howard, told Bloomberg news in an email that "we are disappointed and disagree with the decision," and are deciding what steps to take next.</p> <p>Jane Kleeb of Bold Nebraska, a citizen advocacy group, was encouraged by the ruling. "This clearly gives a boost to landowners and citizens," she said, groups that had worked to challenge what she called the governor's "illegal process."</p> <p>The Keystone XL pipeline, which would transport tar sands crude from Alberta to refineries in east Texas, has already been delayed by at least two years—due to legal challenges like this one, but also by a grassroots environmental campaign on a scale not seen since the anti-nuclear protests of the 1970s. Some landowners were particularly vocal in their opposition, noting that tar sands are more likely to spill than regular crude oil and thus pose a greater threat to land and water.</p> <p>Kleeb hopes that landowners and citizens in other states along the Keystone XL route will take courage from the ruling. "If we stick together, and if we show that we can outlast all other lobbying and PR campaigns, then it is possible to win."</p> <hr style="width: 50%;" width="50%"><ul><li><b></b></li> <b> </b> <li><b></b></li> <b> </b> <li><b></b></li> </ul></div><!-- <img src="0866ee4367d6456b8903be11cff7144a"> --></div><!-- <p><img alt="Kristin Moe" src="http://www.yesmagazine.org/KristinMoeHeadshot75.jpg" title="Kristin Moe"></p> --></div><!-- <p>Kristin Moe wrote this article for <a href="http://www.yesmagazine.org/">YES! Magazine</a>, a national, nonprofit media project that fuses powerful ideas and practical actions. Kristin writes about climate, grassroots movements, and social change. Follow her on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/yo_Kmoe">@yo_Kmoe</a>.<br><br><b>Read more:</b></p> --><!-- <a href="https://twitter.com/yo_Kmoe">@yo_Kmoe</a>. --><!-- <a href="http://www.yesmagazine.org/planet/a-healing-walk-through-canada-s-tar-sands-dystopia">A Healing Walk through Canada's Tar Sands Dystopia</a> --><!-- <a href="http://www.yesmagazine.org/planet/alberta-tar-sands-illegal-treaty-8-first-nations-shell-oil"><span>Alberta Tar Sands Illegal under Treaty 8, First Nations Charge</span></a> --><!-- <a href="http://www.yesmagazine.org/peace-justice/houston-s-most-polluted-neighborhood-draws-line-keystone-tar-sands">Houston's Most Polluted Neighborhood Draws the Line at Alberta Tar Sands</a> --> <p>This article originally appeared in <a href="https://www.yesmagazine.org">Yes! Magazine</a> at <a href="https://www.yesmagazine.org/environment/2014/02/21/keystone-xl-at-a-standstill-after-nebraska-ruling">https://www.yesmagazine.org/environment/2014/02/21/keystone-xl-at-a-standstill-after-nebraska-ruling</a>.</p><link href="https://www.yesmagazine.org/environment/2014/02/21/keystone-xl-at-a-standstill-after-nebraska-ruling" rel="canonical"/><p>Yes! Magazine is a nonprofit, independent media organization dedicated to telling stories of ... . Learn more at <a href="https://www.yesmagazine.org">Yes! Magazine</a></p><img id="republication-tracker-tool-source" src="https://www.yesmagazine.org/?republication-pixel=true&post=13430&ga4=G-74QJNNY44Z" style="width:1px;height:1px;">
Keystone XL "At a Standstill" After Nebraska Ruling The Keystone XL pipeline project suffered a major setback this week with a Nebraska court ruling that will likely delay any final decision on the pipeline for at least another six months. "If we stick together, and if we show that we can outlast all other lobbying and PR campaigns, than it is possible to win." The District Court judge ruled in favor of three landowners—Randy Thompson, Susan Luebbe, and Susan Dunavan—who challenged a Nebraska law granting Gov. Dave Heineman and state environmental regulators special authority to approve pipeline projects. The governor used this new authority to approve Keystone XL's passage through the state, despite opposition from landowner and environmental groups. President Obama had been expected to make a decision on the pipeline at some point this summer or later. Now, the already contentious process is on hold. If the pipeline is again approved in Nebraska, it will likely go through a lengthy rerouting process before going back to the president for a final decision. Dave Domina, the attorney who represented the landowners, said in a news release that the pipeline company TransCanada now "has no approved route in Nebraska. TransCanada is not authorized to condemn the property against Nebraska landowners. The pipeline project is at standstill in this state." TransCanada's spokesperson, Shawn Howard, told Bloomberg news in an email that "we are disappointed and disagree with the decision," and are deciding what steps to take next. Jane Kleeb of Bold Nebraska, a citizen advocacy group, was encouraged by the ruling. "This clearly gives a boost to landowners and citizens," she said, groups that had worked to challenge what she called the governor's "illegal process." The Keystone XL pipeline, which would transport tar sands crude from Alberta to refineries in east Texas, has already been delayed by at least two years—due to legal challenges like this one, but also by a grassroots environmental campaign on a scale not seen since the anti-nuclear protests of the 1970s. Some landowners were particularly vocal in their opposition, noting that tar sands are more likely to spill than regular crude oil and thus pose a greater threat to land and water. Kleeb hopes that landowners and citizens in other states along the Keystone XL route will take courage from the ruling. "If we stick together, and if we show that we can outlast all other lobbying and PR campaigns, then it is possible to win."
Copy HTML code
Copy plain text
DONATE
Donate
About
Events
Environmental Justice
Racial Justice
Body Politics
Political Power
Social Justice
Economic Power
Get YES! Emails
Teacher Resources
My Account
Truth Fall 2024
All Issues
Notifications