Court strikes down Nebraska law that allowed Keystone XL pipeline

[cali]

LINCOLN — A judge has declared unconstitutional a Nebraska law used to reroute the Keystone XL pipeline.

Lancaster County District Judge Stephanie Stacy ruled Wednesday that the 2012 law improperly gave the governor authority to approve the pipeline route, said David Domina, an Omaha attorney who represented plaintiffs in the case.

The judge said regulatory control over pipeline companies rests with the Nebraska Public Service Commission. She granted a permanent injunction to prevent Gov. Dave Heineman and the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality from taking further action to advance the pipeline.

The ruling would appear to mean TransCanada, the company seeking to build the crude oil pipeline, will have to seek approval again for its route.

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http://www.omaha.com/article/20140219/NEWS/140218464/1707