The South Dakota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) said on Monday, April 27 that it has granted intervenors’ motion for a continuance, which will effectively delay the scheduled May 4-8 Keystone XL permit application evidentiary hearing and public comment session.
Bold Nebraska and a number of Nebraska landowners who live on the proposed pipeline route are among the parties granted official “intervenor” status in TransCanada’s PUC permit application process.
The evidentiary hearing is now expected to be rescheduled for late July or early August, with the exact dates to be set at the PUC hearing on Thursday, April 30.
Statement from Jane Kleeb, Bold Nebraska:
“Citizens and allied Tribal Nations worked to ensure more time was given to address the serious risks to water on the current route in South Dakota as well as the lack of proper spill response planning. The South Dakota PUC listened to our concerns and the delay of the hearing is welcome news. TransCanada should take note, their pipeline is delayed for so long because it is risky and simply put will never be built. We remain united and urge the President to reject Keystone XL once and for all.”
