Court Date Set for NE Land Owners Lawsuit in Pipeline Route

“Three Nebraska landowners will finally see their day in court as the lawsuit they filed against the state is finally moving forward. The suit challenges the constitutionality of LB 1161, the law used by the state legislature and Governor Dave Heineman for approving eminent domain and the Keystone XL pipeline route in Nebraska. The State Department must put on hold any review of the pipeline.

After multiple attempts at delay by state officials, Nebraska Judge Stacy announced today that the lawsuit will be heard on Sept. 27, 2013. This news has significant implications on the broader national debate on the permit process for TransCanada’s Keystone XL tarsands pipeline. With the entire Nebraska route in question, the State Department should not finalize the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) until the court decision and the proper agency in Nebraska, the Public Service Commission, goes through the extensive routing process laid out for pipelines.”

read the entire article

1011 Now 19 July 2013.