States Do Have the Authority to Change the Pipelines Route
March 31, 2011
On March 30, the Journal Star out of Lincoln, Nebraska reported that a document from the Nebraska Congressional Research Service was being circulated among groups that have strongly opposed the proposed Keystone XL pipeline. This report illustrates how the State, not the Federal Government, has the authority to regulate siting and eminent domain procedures of the proposed pipeline. This means that it is the State who can decide if the pipeline will be allowed to run over the Ogallala Aquifer, as it is proposed.
Many groups are concerned that if the pipeline were to leak or a spill occurred the aquifer would be contaminated. The aquifer offers irrigation and drinking water to 8 states.
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