LB4, which would have TransCanada’s proposed new route undergo a state EIS process, was pushed to the final legislative step today. We will still be scrutinizing the process, but see positive results coming from both LB4 and LB1. Both bills will have a final vote on Tuesday morning. We expect them to go straight to the Governor. Here’s your Roundup: 

Need your state senator's phone number? Want to help take action on the current bills going through the Unicameral? This resource page is a one-stop-shop for all you pipeline fighters and Sandhills lovers. 

Editor's Update, 11/17/2011, 5pm: Senator Haar introduced and withdrew an amendment that would have designated the Sandhills as an "avoidance area" this morning on the floor. While we wish this could have been accomplished during the special session, we look forward to Senators Haar and Schilz brining up the critical issue of protecting the Sandhills in January when the legislature convenes for regular session. Tomorrow another oil pipeline company could try and cross the Sandhills as well as TransCanada could sell the current easements of landowners in the Sandhills to another oil company. That is why we think specific language must be adopted in January. 

At this point, the two bills, LB1 and LB4, are locked in, expected to pass final rounds of debate, and be sent to the Governor on Tuesday. We encourage citizens to join us at a press conference next Tuesday in the Rotunda (specific time TBA) where we'll recap the special session and announce nest steps. 

The following press release was submitted by: Nebraska Sierra Club, Bold Nebraska, Nebraska Green Party, Audubon Nebraska, Nebraska League of Women Voters, Nebraska Wildlife Federation, Nebraska Interfaith Power and Light, Guardians of the Good Life

Groups are releasing a resolution from the Citizens' Special Session that makes it clear, we expect the legislature to pass a law that keeps oil pipelines away from the Sandhills and underlying Ogallala Aquifer.

The legislature just voted 44-0 to advance Senator Dubas' LB1, the Major Oil Pipeline Siting Act. The bill would give the Public Service Commission responsibility for reviewing proposed pipeline routes, and it would require a pipeline company to get that state permit before having eminent domain authority.

The only amendment approved was the committee amendment to have the bill not apply to pipelines that have already submitted an application to the federal government, i.e. TransCanada's Keystone XL. Bold's position is that Keystone XL should not be exempt from the rules.

Here is our fearless leader, Jane Kleeb's statement on today's announcement. Below is a longer statement on the process.

"We are proud of citizens for pushing state leaders to do the right thing: requiring the pipeline be moved out of the Sandhills and establishing a state-based regulatory system. However, we do not trust Transcanada. They have bullied and mislead landowners and citizens. Because of that we will be watching them like a hawk to ensure our land and water are protected. We look forward to citizens participating with the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality to ensure a fair and transparent study of alternative routes is conducted."

Speaker Flood announced on the floor of the legislature this afternoon that TransCanada has agreed to move their pipeline out of the Sandhills. He asked that Senator Langemeier's bill be altered to become a state-based EIS and that Senator Dubas' siting bill be kicked out to the floor to create a regulatory process for all future pipelines.

We will post updates on the amendment and tomorrow's schedule as they come in. The Lincoln Journal Star and Omaha World-Herald have good coverage.

Five bills have been introduced to address oil pipeline regulations in Nebraska. Committees held public hearings on the bills from November 7th-9th. Below are the two bills that are expected to pass: Senator Dubas' LB1 and Senator Langemeier/Speaker Flood's LB4. They are currently being debated by the full floor.

In light of the State Department’s decision to delay decision on the KXL, we expect a lot of celebrating this weekend. Make sure you thank a veteran today for all they have done for our country. Here’s your Roundup: 

The Administration and the State Department announced this afternoon that the decision on whether or not to permit TransCanada's risky Keystone XL pipeline is delayed until a new Environmental Impact Statement is done on alternative routes. The delay is expected to last until early 2013. The Sandhills and Ogallala Aquifer are too important to our state and the President has recognized the economic and health risks of the current route. Nebraskans were quick to praise the President's administration and challenge the Nebraska Unicameral to continue the work of passing oil pipeline regulations in the current special session.

Randy Thompson is a landowner in the current path of the pipeline who has become something of a Nebraska folks hero. Of the President's announcement, Thompson said, "It's really ironic that the folks in Washington, DC understand the gravity of the situation in Nebraska even when some of our own state legislators don't seem to. Our future generations will thank the President and hopefully will thank our state senators if they do the job they were elected to do for citizens not big corporations."