The Nebraska Public Service Commission has voted to approved a proposed route for the Keystone XL Pipeline through Nebraska.
Three commissioners, Tim Schram, Frank Landis and Rod Johnson, voted to approve the pipeline, while two, Chrystal Rhoades and Mary Ridder, voted no on the measure. In a statement before the vote, Rhodes stated that she would not vote to approve the route because many landowners didn't know their land was in the path of the proposed route. Rhodes also stated that Native American tribes in the state were not contacted by TransCanada about the proposed route.
The alternative route places the path of the pipeline through Keya Paha, Holt, Boyd, Antelope, Madison, Stanton, Platte, Colfax, Butler, Seward and Saline counties. Boone, Nance, Polk, York and Filmore counties are no longer on the path of the pipeline.
The PSC's 'yes' vote is not for the preferred route that TransCanada had originally planned on though. The commissions route would run east of the original path mapped out by TransCanada, which would mean the company would have to sign agreements with a new batch of landowners.
The state's approval of the alternate route does not automatically mean the pipeline will be built, as opponents have vowed to file lawsuits and appeals to the decision. TransCanada also has to decide if they want to use the new proposed route and if the project would be financially beneficial
If constructed, the pipeline would carry over 800,000 barrels of crude oil from Albert, Canada to the United States Gulf Coast.