Nebraska lawmakers authorize Keystone XL route study

Nebraska’s legislature passed legislation on Apr. 11 allowing the state’s Department of Environmental Quality to study a new proposed route for TransCanada Corp.’s Keystone XL pipeline.

LB 1161 passed by 44 to 5 votes, more than the two-thirds required, and suspends portions of an earlier pipeline siting law enacted late last year.

Gov. Dave Heineman (R) previously said he would support the bill and is expected to sign it. TransCanada reportedly will be required to reimburse the state for the study, and the DEQ will hold at least one public meeting about it.

Contact Nick Snow at [email protected].