Nebraska Bill Takes Aim at Keystone

In an apparent bid to thwart the proposed Keystone XL pipeline, a bill introduced Wednesday in the Nebraska Legislature would require oil companies to complete an extensive application process before running pipe through the state. The bill calls for the Nebraska Public Service Commission to oversee the process that would include pre-filed testimony and exhibits in support of the application and documented proof of environmental and economic impact studies. Applicants would also be required to show that the proposed pipeline serves the public interest and to present their case at public meetings and a public hearing conducted by the Public Service Commission. If the commission denies the application, the pipeline company would be prohibited from exercising eminent domain to acquire rights-of-way for the proposed project. Read more...

Meanwhile, the South Dakota legislature is considering a bill that would  impose a fee on crude oil pipelines passing through the state. The money collected would go into a fund to be used to cover expenses relating to a spill. The proposed fee would be 2 cents for every barrel of crude oil carried in the pipeline and would be suspended when the fund reaches $30 million. Read more...