TransCanada Corp. has submitted another application to the State Department to build and operate the XL Pipeline. This proposal is to connect it to an existing pipeline in Steele City, Nebraska reflecting the opposition to the previous application's route across the Ogllala Aquifer. The change of strategy has the company building the pipeline to carry Alberta bitumen south to refineries on the Gulf Coast in stages. The Obamanator lauded the company's decision to build the segment from Cushing, Okalahoma
[map] after the international crossing was dissapproved because of an accelerated deadline imposed by Congress. TransCanada needs executive approval to cross the international border, however.
Nebraska's state legislature passed a bill to allow TransCanada to work with the state Department of Environmental Quality to find an alternative route that avoids the Sand Hills overlying the vital aquifer. The company submitted alternative routes to the state on April 18th. Opponents say the alternative routes still impact the Sand Hills. The department will hold a series of public meetings to provide information and allow comment. The routes have to cross the Niobrara River, parts of which are designated wild and scenic. Opposition to the pipeline has been significant in a conservative, rural state. Grass roots organizations such as
BOLD Nebraska as well as national environmental organizations such as
NRDC continue to oppose the project. The federal State Department will begin reviewing the new application by hiring a third-party contractor to do the work. The previous consulting company, Cardno Entrix, was criticized by opponents and State's Inspector General for having commercial ties to TransCanada.
