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. 

The Obama Administration’s announcement that they are analyzing alternative routes and Speaker Flood’s news that TransCanada has agreed to move the route are both wins for Nebraskans. However, we still need to keep TransCanada accountable.

Read Bold’s reaction to the big announcement that TransCanada will reroute the pipeline.

We’ll keep this page updated with news from the special session and always have our current action listed on this page. Also at the bottom of the page is a full list of our State Senators and their contact information.

Please let us know if you need more information or have questions that we haven’t answered, just email info@boldnebraska.org.

Special Session Resources:

Schedule: The schedule is shifting and changes fast, but for now the schedule is as follows:
-Fri, Nov 18th, 9am: Langemeier’s LB4 & Dubas’ LB1 get more debate
-Mon, Nov 21st, 1:30pm: Legislature convenes for a layover day for bills
-Tues, Nov 22nd, 9am: Final vote on bills, should go to Governor for immediate signature
You can watch online (choose main legislative chamber) or come to the balcony in the state capitol.

Contact Info for Your State Senator: Find out who’s representing you and then reach out to them. Visit with them at their office, write a letter, send an email, and make a call telling them you expect nothing less than the pipeline being rerouted out of the Sandhills.

Bill Roundup: We’ve written brief summaries of the pipeline bills that have been introduced so far with links to their full text. Five pipeline bills were introduced. Senator Dubas’ siting bill has been moved to the full floor for a debate and vote where it is expected to pass. Senator Langemeier’s bill intent was changed to now focus on the creation of a state-based Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement on alternative routes.

Events: We keep a regularly updated list of public events on the pipeline. We share more than just Bold events, so let us know if there’s an event we should share.

Watch the special session on TV and online: NET will host live coverage on NET2 on your television and online at http://netnebraska.org.

Legal memos: Nebraska lawyers Alan Peterson and David Domina wrote independent legal memos that explain why and how the Nebraska legislature can regulate oil pipelines. The bottom line is YES, Nebraska can put laws in place to route oil pipelines and NO, it is not too late to re-route the Keystone XL pipeline. The Peterson memo is a rebuttal to Speaker Flood’s assertion that the state can do nothing and analyzes Senator Dubas’ first drafts of legislation. The Domina memo digs into how and when Nebraska can enact regulations with a full list of ideas for needed legislation. 

Paul Blackburn Presentation: If you missed the Citizen Special Session, Paul gave a great overview of what our state can do to protect our land and water when it comes to laws and regulations. This is a powerpoint presentation/file.

Current Actions:

1) 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. Please consider sending an email to your state senator telling them “thank you” for working to protect our land and water and that we will continue to serve as the “watchful citizens” as we head into the new year.

2) Join us on Tuesday, November 22nd in the Capitol Rotunda (specific time TBA) for a press conference to wrap up the end of the Pipeline Special Session and announce our next steps. (Reminder: the Capitol does not allow signs but feel free to wear your Stand with Randy and pipeline fighter gear!)