Gov. Heineman just performed one of the biggest flip-flops in Nebraska political history. He approved the pipeline route that crosses the Aquifer after he asked President Obama to deny the route that crossed the Aquifer.
Heineman turned his back on landowners and citizens who asked for an unbiased review of the risks of this pipeline. It is a shame when a politician these days can’t cross party lines even to stand up for our water and family farmers and ranchers.
The economic figures Heineman cites in his approval of the route are incorrect, misleading and refuted by journalists and economic experts. Additionally, Bold Nebraska requested a pipeline expert to review economic portions of the DEQ report and found the numbers to be biased and on very shaky ground.
President Obama is Nebraska’s only hope now as our governor and legislature have failed. It is clear given what Pres. Obama said about climate change yesterday that Heineman did not want to be on the same side as Obama.
You can not say the words the President did in his inaugural address and then turn around and approve the pipeline, that is crystal clear, as clear as the Ogallala Aquifer is without this risky export tarsands pipeline.
The law that governed the decision Heineman made is currently being challenged in court. The judge sided with the citizens on the first motion. So Heineman just took not only a risky political step he also just took a risky legal step.
We are still moving forward with the Vigil planned on Jan. 29th outside the Governor’s mansion. Our message will be the same, we must stop this pipeline from risking our land, water and property rights. Join us on Jan. 29th at 6pm to send a clear message to Heineman and to Obama that we as Nebraskans will not stand for politicians selling our kids’ future for some dirty tarsands.
The fight continues, even though Gov. Heineman sided with a foreign corporation today and turned his back on our water and property rights.
MORE INFO
Citizen lawsuit against Heineman (judge initial ruling and original filing): https://boldnebraska.org/lawsuit
New economic analysis of the figures Heineman cites: https://boldnebraska.org/uploaded/pdf/2013-01_fact_sheet_economics.pdf
Jan. 29th vigil: https://boldnebraska.org/vigil
Pictures of landowners and citizens: http://www.flickr.com/boldnebraska
Original letter Heineman sent to Obama: http://heinemanagreeswithobama.com
