Rep. Brad Ashford (D-Omaha) sent a letter dated July 6 to the U.S. Dept. of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), expressing his concern about the lack of independent soil and water testing being conducted along TransCanada’s Keystone 1 pipeline in Nebraska while the company is digging up huge sections of the pipe for “maintenance.”
The “maintenance” comes after TransCanada was issued two corrective action orders by PHMSA due to issues found with the Keystone 1 pipeline’s faulty welds and pipe integrity — on a pipe that has only been in operation since 2010.
Rep. Ashford’s letter states that his concerns are shared with Bold Nebraska’s Jane Kleeb; Nebraska state AFL-CIO president Sue Martin; Laborers Union rep Ron Kaminski; and CWA regional union rep Mary Kay Pence.
Bold Nebraska will host a Community Meeting on July 19 in Stanton for landowners and citizens concerned about TransCanada’s planned work on Keystone 1 that will be attended by a representative from both PHMSA, and Nebraska Public Service Commissioner Crystal Rhodes.
Bold and invited speakers will answer questions, and Bold will offer landowners sampling kits they can use to test their own soil and water as TransCanada digs up Keystone 1 pipe sections on their land.
- WHAT: Keystone 1 Pipeline Community Meeting—Stanton
- WHEN: Tuesday, July 19, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
- WHERE: Red Road Herbs Center — 57190 835 Rd, Stanton, Nebraska 68779
- DETAILS: Tea & Treats will be served, with an optional herb walk following the meeting.
- SPEAKERS:
- Angela Pickett, CATS Manager, Central Region for the U.S. Dept. of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA)
- Crystal Rhoades, Nebraska Public Service Commissioner
- Jane Kleeb, Director, Bold Nebraska
