February 22, 2012
Legislative Update - Natural Resources Committee Hears 30 Hours of Debate on Pipeline Bills
Hearings on all of the pipeline bills were held last week. The Natural Resources Committee listened to nearly 30 hours of testimony on the bills referenced to that committee, and the Judiciary Committee heard several hours of testimony on LB3, a bill that changes the eminent domain law as it relates to oil pipeline companies. The Natural Resources Committee has advanced siting legislation to the full Legislature. The Legislature began debate on Monday, November 14.
Speaker Flood announced on Monday, November 14, that Transcanada has agreed to move the pipeline out of the Sandhills. Speaker Flood has also proposed that Nebraska conduct its own Environmental Impact Statement on the new route for the Keystone XL pipeline. In addition to actions in the Nebraska Legislature, the U.S. State Department announced last week that they would wait to issue a final decision on the federal permit for the Keystone XL pipeline until further review could be completed on an alternative route outside of the Sandhills. I welcome Transcanada’s willingness to move the pipeline and also the State Department’s decision to avoid potential problems in the fragile Sandhills and the most sensitive areas of the Ogallala Aquifer. I am optimistic that the pipeline project will continue along a different route through Nebraska once the evaluations are complete.
It is important that the Legislature continue on with this special session in order to address siting of this and future pipelines to ensure that any oil pipeline built in our state is built in a location that is in the best interests of our state. I understand that some people in my district do not feel that siting legislation is necessary at this juncture and that the Legislature should not act. However, many in my district have expressed, through thousands of phone calls, e-mails, and letters, concern about the route of the proposed Keystone XL pipeline. As a result, I believe that action must be taken in this instance. I have previously stated that I support the construction of the pipeline along a different route and do not wish to stop the Keystone XL project. Stopping the current route, and not the pipeline itself, has been the focus of the majority of my constituents. I was elected by and serve my constituents, and only my constituents, and my opinion is in no way influenced by any other special interest group. As a rural senator, I represent a large territory of six counties, all of which have varying geography and communities of interest. In that role, I have worked to represent my constituents to the best of my ability in the Nebraska Legislature. There are often divergent opinions, and the issue of oil pipelines is no different. I will continue to work for the benefit of my constituents’ interests on this issue and all other concerns that arise.
If you have any questions regarding the special session, the legislation introduced, or any other issue, please contact my office at (402) 471-2801 or tlarson@leg.ne.gov.
Best Wishes,
Senator Tyson Larson
It is important that the Legislature continue on with this special session in order to address siting of this and future pipelines to ensure that any oil pipeline built in our state is built in a location that is in the best interests of our state. I understand that some people in my district do not feel that siting legislation is necessary at this juncture and that the Legislature should not act. However, many in my district have expressed, through thousands of phone calls, e-mails, and letters, concern about the route of the proposed Keystone XL pipeline. As a result, I believe that action must be taken in this instance. I have previously stated that I support the construction of the pipeline along a different route and do not wish to stop the Keystone XL project. Stopping the current route, and not the pipeline itself, has been the focus of the majority of my constituents. I was elected by and serve my constituents, and only my constituents, and my opinion is in no way influenced by any other special interest group. As a rural senator, I represent a large territory of six counties, all of which have varying geography and communities of interest. In that role, I have worked to represent my constituents to the best of my ability in the Nebraska Legislature. There are often divergent opinions, and the issue of oil pipelines is no different. I will continue to work for the benefit of my constituents’ interests on this issue and all other concerns that arise.
If you have any questions regarding the special session, the legislation introduced, or any other issue, please contact my office at (402) 471-2801 or tlarson@leg.ne.gov.
Best Wishes,
Senator Tyson Larson
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