TransCanada Pipeline Background and Resources

Nebraskans are speaking out and taking action to help stop the TransCanada pipeline. 

This page (last updated 10/06/2011) is meant to be a resource with various reports and background about this critical topic. 

• Get an "I Stand with Randy" t-shirt, facebook profile image and more...
• Click here for flyer on pipeline and gas prices, and click here for a good flyer on pipeline issues and facts.
• Cornell reearchers show that TransCanada's jobs numbers are based on bad math
• This oil will NOT make the US energy independent, and here's the proof in the industry pudding
• Dr. Stansbury of UNL's report that predicts 91 leaks on the Keystone XL over 50 years

• Want to see pictures or rallies and ranchers? Check out our Flickr photostream
• Check out a great letter by bold State Senators Sullivan, Haar, Dubas, Fulton, Coash to Sec. Clinton about the permit process.
• Heard about the Congressional Memo that proves our state elected officials have the authority to re-route the pipeline and set regulations? Check out page five. It makes it clear that our state has the power to regulate routes of oil pipelines.
•  A quick push back to TransCanada's ads
• Worried about the link of TransCanada pipeline and China as well as how safe the pipeline is? Here's an investigative report by Vince Wade, and there's also a local report by NET.
• Look at action steps you can take and download our Pipeline Action Guide.
• Read about the 12 spills on TransCanada's Keystone 1 pipeline. They said they would have 7 spills over 10 years, and it's only been operating 1 year.
• 12 reasons not to fast-track the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline.

Here's a look at the info below:

• Summary and Nebraska Groups Involved
• Pictures and videos
• Actions (action guide, petition, letter writing, yard signs, donate, events)
• Background
• Current News
• Reports
• Public Hearings
• Nebraska and National Elected Officials
• Maps of Pipelines
• About TransCanada
• More Info (local contacts and website links)

We think the TransCanada tarsands pipeline is a risky and bad idea for our state, our land, our water and our economic activity. We do not want to see it built. We want to see investments in American-made energy, including domestic oil. We want to see regulations including an Emergency Response Plan for the tarsands oil pipeline that is already in the ground in the eastern part of our state. We also want to see our state put in place routing regulations, stronger eminent domain laws and financial responsibility for any future pipelines.

The pipeline will cut across 92 miles of the Sandhills and 250 miles of farm and ranch land. The counties it would cross are Keya Paha, Rock, Holt, Garfield, Wheeler, Greeley, Boone, Nance, Merrick, Saline, Jefferson, Hamilton, York and Fillmore. There are over 1,000 groundwater wells in the pipeline path and countless more smaller wells and seasonal surface water bodies.

Nebraska has NO regulations and no state agency to govern oil pipelines. Despite what state elected officials say, Nebraska DOES have a role in regulating oil pipelines. Our elected officials can do the following, but do not seem to have the political will to carry out their duty to protect our land and water:

• Siting and routing of oil pipelines
• Easement and eminent domain process and terms
• Easement abandonment
• Emergency response planning
• Liability for spills
• Bonding for road construction and/or repair
• Regulation of neighboring land uses

Groups raising concerns and working to stop the pipeline in our state include Audubon Nebraska, Bold Nebraska, GFWC Heritage League of Lincoln, Guardians of the Good Life,  Nebraska Bioneers, Nebraska Common Cause, Nebraska Farmers Union, Nebraska Green Party, Nebraska League of Conservation Voters, Nebraska Sierra Club, Nebraska Wildlife Federation, Nebraskans for Peace and the local chapter of 350.org.

Two NRDs have passed resolutions opposing the pipeline, those include Upper Elkhorn and the Lower Niobrara. The resolution can be viewed here.

The Center for Rural Affairs' board and the National and Nebraska Farmers Union's membership formally oppose the pipeline.

Pictures and Videos

DC Delegation Pictures (can be used for free, with attribution to Mitch Paine): http://tinyurl.com/NEDCpics

Pipeline Rally Pictures (can be used for free, with attribution to Mitch Paine): http://tinyurl.com/piperally 

Landowner Pictures (can be used for free, with attribution to Mitch Paine): http://tinyurl.com/piperally 

Pictures of Tarsands Mining (must be attributed to photographer on each pic): http://dirtyoilsands.org/visuals 

 Video of Landowners speaking about land and TransCanada bullying: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-67r8gVLDa0

Cindy Myers (with permission of National Wildlife): http://tinyurl.com/CinMyers

Randy Thompson (with permission of National Wildlife): http://tinyurl.com/RandyNE 

Lynda Buoy (with permission of Bold Nebraska): http://tinyurl.com/LynBuoy

Susan Luebbe (with permission of Bold Nebraska): http://tinyurl.com/SusLuebbe

Actions

ACTION GUIDE: Groups put together an action guide with 10 things you can do!

PETITION: Sign the petition that we will send to state and national elected leaders at tinyurl.com/protectnebraska.

CURRENT EVENTS: All events are listed here.

DONATE: Small donations keep our work going, please donate today!

PICTURES: Many folks email us asking for pictures of landowners and the Sandhills, you can get those links here. For picture of the tarsands oil process, visit http://dirtyoilsands.org/visuals.  

GEAR: Nebraska groups created yard yard signs (it's a 2-sided yard sign), bumper stickers, buttons and t-shirts for Nebraskans to show their public opposition the pipeline. You can pick these up at 1141 H Street, 3rd Floor in Lincoln during the week from 10am-5pm or you can buy them online.

LETTERS: We have a full letter writing action guide on our website, just click here for sample letters, contact info and more!

Background

TransCanada, a foreign company based in Canada, is trying to obtain a permit from the United States government to build a second pipeline in our state. TransCanada refers to this new, proposed pipeline as Keystone XL (the current pipeline in the ground already is called Keystone 1).

The pipeline carries the most expensive and dirtiest form of oil, called tar sands. It is a thick form of oil that requires many chemicals, high heat and high pressure to push it through the pipeline.

Because the pipeline crosses the US/Canada border, Sect. Clinton must approve the pipeline by granting a permit to TransCanada. Because of federal laws, Clinton must go through certain steps before she makes her decision, which includes various environmental studies and public hearings.

Under the Bush Administration and under Governor Heineman’s administration, a TransCanada pipeline called Keystone 1 was approved and is currently in the ground with oil flowing. That pipeline is NOT at capacity, so the obvious first question is why build another pipeline?

If the new pipeline is approved, up to 1.1 million barrels of tarsands oil, the dirtiest form of oil, will be pumping through our state everyday. The current pipeline, when at capacity, will pump 435,000 barrels of oil through our land and water.

Nebraska has only passed one law concerning oil pipelines, and it only covers reclamation. We have no trust fund set aside to help families if their land, water or health are affected. We have no Emergency Response Plan that has been made public. Nebraskans are, right now with the current pipeline in the ground, at risk and at the mercy of TransCanada if/when a leak, spill, blowout or anything else happens.

Additionally, numerous reports have cited increased rates of cancer at the source of the tarsands production in Canada.

Current News

Some articles of note are:

• A good overview of how one family in TX is pushing back as well as just a general overview on the issue, this is an 8-minute radio interview
• One family in OK is suing TransCanada for their threats of eminent domain
• Why tar sands oil can give false readings on the technology that detects pipeline leaks 
• KETV's investigative piece by Ryan Luby
• One of the first Lincoln Journal Star articles on the pipeline by Art Hovey
• Omaha World Herald has also covered the pipeline extensively, articles are written by Paul Hammel
• The tar sands are so bad, banks are now saying they will not lend to companies who process tar sands.
• More Members of Congress express their concern over the hazards of the TransCanada pipeline. Nebraska is also cited as the state with the most vocal opposition to the pipeline.
• Tar sands oil is linked to cancer.
• Leaks are already happening in Nebraska and South Dakota on the current TransCanada pipeline.
• NRDC does a great recap of how bad the tarsands are for America's energy independence.

Reports and Letters

UNL Dept. Ag Economics paper on the pipeline: http://tinyurl.com/unlpipeline

Sierra Club profile of individuals affected by pipeline: http://tinyurl.com/sierrareport

Investigative report by Vince Wade on safety and the route of the oil to China: View article

National Wildlife report on overview and dangers of pipeline: View PDF

Plains Justice report on expense of pipeline: View PDF

News articles on faulty steel: View Article on faulty steel, View article on TransCanada using Indian steel instead of American steel

Plains Justice faulty steel report: View PDF

Joint report on pipeline safety: http://tinyurl.com/pipelinesafety

A study that describes how Tar Sands are dirty, expensive and cause cancer: View Article

A Friends of the Earth Report on TransCanada's dirty business practices: View PDF

Letter to Sec. Clinton signed by over 32 groups asking for more time: View Letter

Public Hearings and Nebraska Information

The State Dept:
In May 2010, The Department of State held a series of public hearings in Nebraska to get input on their draft Environmental Impact Study (EIS). Nebraskans were able to get a copy of the draft EIS, ask questions and make comments that were all part of the official record. The Dept. of State is going through all of those comments--also made in other states the pipeline would go through--and must respond to all comments and questions. There is no timeline set on this process.

At these initial hearings, not one Nebraskan stood up in support of the pipeline. All comments made by Nebraskans were opposing the pipeline and/or expressing major concerns and asking many questions. One welder from Arkansas was at the hearings and made statements in support of the pipeline. His company got the contract to weld the current pipeline.

We would like to note that the agency that should have weighed in with official comments, the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality, has not said anything on this critical issue. This is one of the many red flags we see coming from the Heineman administration that they are ignoring the pipeline and Nebraskans' concerns.

After much public pressure about the inadequecies of the first draft of the EIS, the State Dept. issued a draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement. The public comment period for the SEIS closed on June 6, and public field hearing will be announced soon.  We will update you when we find out dates and locations.

NPPD:
In July 2010, NPPD held a series of public meetings to get input on the proposed new transmission lines. The lines will cost taxpayers $49-64 million and TransCanada is supposed to pay Nebraska back on a monthly basis. The construction of the transmission lines was put on hold in early 2011 because the US State Dept. had not yet approved a permit for the pipeline. Construction resumed in Spring of 2011. 

State Legislation:
A quick review of state laws being proposed by the Nebraska Unicameral in the 2011 session is archived on our website and described below. However, only one pipeline bill passed the 2011 session, and it was a weak bill because the senators and citizens who cared about our land and water were simply out-lobbied by TransCanada.

On Dec. 1, 2010, Sen. Dubas and Sen. Sullivan held an initial hearing, spurred by LR 435, on the pipeline to get baseline information from advocates, landowners, water experts, Sandhills experts and oil industry leaders. The hearing resulted in a report for the Nebraska Unicameral and according to LR 435 was to be a study to include an "examination of issues relating to liability, restoration of property, and regulatory oversight." 

In Feb. 2011, the Natural Resources Committee held a hearing on the three bills that would have governed and regulated oil pipelines. The room was packed with citizens, landowners and advocates who all pleaded with the Committee to vote yes on the bills. We collected testimony from Nebraskans which you can read here.

On May 26, 2011 the Nebraska Unicameral passed LB 629 sponsored by Sen. Sullivan that takes one step towards comprehensive pipeline regulations for our state. The bill looks nothing like its original form which was very strong and would have provided some safeguards for landowners. However, the lobbying forces of TransCanada were very intense and Sen. Sullivan was able to pass a bill focused on reclamation. The bill essentially says TransCanada has to replant and fix land they disrupt. We still have a LONG way to go...

You can read the floor debate on Sen. Sullivan's bill, just click on the link and look on the lower right hand side. There were three days of debate. Click Here for the floor debate

Blog post on the Department of State 2010 public hearings in Nebraska: View Post

Department of State EIS report: View Report

Farmers Union comments to EIS: View PDF

Nebraska Wildlife comments to EIS: View PDF

National coalition comments to EIS: View PDF

Nebraska Elected Officials

No elected official in Nebraska has officially stated they oppose the pipeline. Many have raised significant concerns about the route and safety of the pipeline (both the current TransCanada Keystone 1 and the proposed Keystone XL).

Gov. Heineman released his first public statement on the pipeline on Oct. 12, 2010.

Senators Nelson and Johanns have both issued press statements saying they have questions. Reps. Smith and Fortenberry have as well. Rep. Terry has not made a statement but is co-sponsoring a bill that tells the State Dept. to rush their decision.

Gov. Heineman and Attorney General Bruning have both taken potentially illegal campaign contributions from TransCanada and returned them after they were caught in Oct. 2010. Two groups filed FEC complaints against Bruning and Heineman, including Bold Nebraska.

State Senators Dubas, Dierks and Sullivan attended the Dept. of State public hearings in 2010. State Senator Ken Haar has attended several meetings and raised questions in public interviews about the pipeline.  

The State Senators that the pipeline goes through their districts include Sens. Deb Fischer, Russ Karpisek, Kate Sullivan, Annette Dubas and Tom Carlson. Dubas and Sullivan introduced bills to help regulate oil pipelines in Nebraska during the 2011 session. Only Sullivan's passed and was watered down to only cover reclamation.

Nebraska has NO regulations and no state agency to govern oil pipelines (Sullivan's reclamation bill is toothless regulation).  Despite what state elected officials say, Nebraska DOES have a role in regulating oil pipelines. Our elected officials can do the following, but do not seem to have the political will to carry out their duty to protect our land and water:

• Siting and routing of oil pipelines
• Easement and eminent domain process and terms
• Easement abandonment
• Emergency response planning
• Liability for spills
• Bonding for road construction and/or repair
• Regulation of neighboring land uses

Nebraska LR 435 Interim Study on Oil Pipelines (excellent info from UNL experts): Download PDF

Nebraska State Senators' 1st Letter to Clinton: View blog post

Nebraska State Senators' 2nd Letter to Clinton calling on her to delay the permit decision: View PDF

Senator Nelson public statements: View PDF

Senator Johanns page on his statements: View page

State Senator Fulton letter to Sec. Clinton: View PDF

Gov. Heineman letter to Sec. Clinton: View PDF

Members of Congress letter to Sec. Clinton: View PDF

Additional letter from more Members of Congress to Sec. Clinton: View PDF

Senator Johanns and Nelson continue to push Sec. Clinton for a supplemental EIS. One article that covers this request and has a copy to Johanns letter: View here

Sec. Clinton responds to Senator Nelson's concerns: View letters on Nelson's website

Maps of the Proposed and Current Pipelines

The proposed pipeline would go through 14 counties in Nebraska:

Keya Paha, Rock, Holt, Garfield, Wheeler, Greeley, Boone, Nance, Merrick, Saline, Jefferson, Hamilton, York, Fillmore

Dept of State map of current and proposed pipeline across US: View the MAP

TransCanada’s map of Nebraska and proposed pipeline: View JPG

TransCanada’s map of the current and proposed pipeline across the US: View PDF

Our map of the proposed route across Nebraska and the Ogallala Aquifer: View PDF

About TransCanada

TransCanada has business dealings with numerous big oil companies worldwide. Their corporate bio says they build energy infrastructure for North America. TransCanada will not use our land to produce oil for the United States. In fact, they use North American land to process oil to sell to whoever is the highest bidder. They have also come under fire for skirting safety measures and using lower quality steel from China and India. ConocoPhillips now owns 50% of the Keystone pipeline (the current pipeline in the ground already in Nebraska).

Press release about the partnership between TransCanada and Conoco: View Press Release

BP, TransCanada and Conoco partnerships on gas pipelines: Visit Article

Friends of the Earth produced a detailed report on TransCanada's dirty business practices: View PDF

More Info on Pipeline and Tarsands Oil

Nebraska Websites
Nebraska groups and citizens are taking action and speaking out to protect our resources from the risky TransCanada pipeline.  Groups involved include: 

• Audubon Nebraska
• Bold Nebraska
• Guardians of the Good Life
• Local chapter of 350.org
• Nebraska Farmers Union
• Nebraska Green Party
• Nebraska League of Conservation Voters
• Nebraska Sierra Club
• Nebraska Wildlife Federation
• Nebraskans for Peace

Groups have sponsored education forums, rallies, ads and lots more.  Some of the early radio ads highlighted a TransCanada Abuse Hotline: View Details

National Websites

Many national groups are assisting our efforts in Nebraska and are working on a national level to help stop the pipeline. 

• Plains Justice Blog
• National Wildlife 
• Sierra Club
• Dirty Oil Sands Blog

Local Contacts
Press and others can contact the leaders below for more information. 

Nebraska: Nebraska Wildlife Federation at (402) 477-1008; Bold Nebraska, Jane Kleeb at 402-705-3622; Nebraska Sierra Club, Ken Winston at 402-212-3737

Kansas: Stephanie Cole at the Kansas chapter of the Sierra Club, (913) 906-9332

Montana: Northern Plains Resource Council, Rose Moore at (406) 248-1154, rose@northernplains.org; All Against the Haul, Zach Porter, (406) 823-0695, zach@allagainstthehaul.org 

Oklahoma: Center for Energy Matters, RoseMary Crawford at (405) 844-3226, rosemary@centerforenergymatters.org

South Dakota: Stephanie Trask at Dakota Rural Action at (605) 697-5204 or (605) 718-4957, stephaniet@dakotarural.org

Texas: Public Citizen at (512) 477-1155; Stop Tarsands Oil Pipelines (STOP), David Daniel, davidpdaniel@peoplepc.com, (903) 563-3935