Gabby Brown, gabby.brown@sierraclub.org
Lincoln, NE -- Ignoring concerns from local landowners, Tribes, and environmental groups, the Nebraska Supreme Court today affirmed the Public Service Commission’s (PSC) approval of a route for the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline through the state.
In November 2017, the PSC approved an alternative route for the controversial pipeline, rather than the one TransCanada applied for. The company had argued that the alternative route would be unworkable.
Regardless of today’s ruling, Keystone XL remains stalled due to federal legal challenges that caused TransCanada to miss the 2019 construction season. TransCanada has not yet announced a Final Investment Decision on whether to move forward and build Keystone XL should it receive all the necessary permits.
“It’s disappointing that the court ignored key concerns about property rights and irreparable damage to natural resources, including threats to the endangered whooping crane, but today’s ruling does nothing to change the fact that Keystone XL faces overwhelming public opposition and ongoing legal challenges and simply never will be built,” said Ken Winston, attorney for the Nebraska Sierra Club. “The fight to stop this pipeline is far from over.”
Attorneys and representatives from landowner, Tribes, and environmental advocacy organizations will host a press briefing today at 10:30am ET to discuss today’s ruling and what comes next.
DIAL: 877-876-9173
PASSCODE: KXL
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The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.