Safety steps may head off (controversial Keystone XL) pipeline

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Omaha World Herald

By Paul Hammel

UPDATE: The top officer of the Nebraska Legislature is now saying that because of the legal risks, state lawmakers should not hold a special session next month to deal with the controversial Keystone XL pipeline.

State Sen. Mike Flood of Norfolk, the speaker of the Legislature and a lawyer, released a legal analysis Wednesday stating any law that senators could pass this fall to divert the contentious pipeline around Nebraska's groundwater-rich Sand Hills would leave the state vulnerable to an expensive lawsuit.

In particular, Flood said, a proposed bill for the special session, the Oil Pipeline Siting Act, would risk violating the federal Interstate Commerce Clause by requiring a new state regulatory review after a three-year federal analysis is near its end.

The legal analysis is sure to put a damper on efforts to call a special session, which would require the consent of 33 senators or action by Gov. Dave Heineman, who has consistently cited legal concerns in opposing such a session.


Read more: http://www.omaha.com/article/20111019/NEWS01/710199946/0#safety-steps-may-head-off-pipeline

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[Lone_Star_Dem]

1. Good!

Meanwhile we have 21 "Democrats" calling on Obama to approve the pipeline today.

Nearly two dozen Democrats led by Rep. Gene Green of Houston implored President Barack Obama today to approve the controversial Keystone XL pipeline that would carry oil-sands crude from Canada to southeastern Texas refineries.

The project would boost America’s energy security and the U.S. economy, the lawmakers said in a letter to Obama.

“The proposed Keystone XL pipeline represents a true shovel-ready project that would directly create 20,000 high-quality domestic manufacturing and construction jobs for Americans who are desperately seeking employment,” the Democrats wrote.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is expected to decide by mid-November whether the 1,700-mile pipeline is in the “national interest,” paving the way for Obama’s final decision on whether to permit the project later this year.

Read more: http://blog.chron.com/txpotomac/2011/10/democrats-led-by-gene-green-push-obama-to-approve-controversial-oil-pipeline/

[Nihil]

2. You have to wonder ...

... if they really believe that shit:
> “The proposed Keystone XL pipeline represents a true shovel-ready project
> that would directly create 20,000 high-quality domestic manufacturing and
> construction jobs for Americans who are desperately seeking employment,”
> the Democrats wrote.

I suppose it forms the line between the delusional and the merely corrupt?

:shrug:

[izquierdista]

3. That's just manufacturing and construction

Think of all the environmental monitoring and remediation jobs that will be required once it gets operating!!

What? You say that like armies of people in HAZMAT suits is a bad thing......

[SpiralHawk]

4. These assclowns (R) are in total subservience to the Foriegn Corporation

and have totally turned their backs on the people and the land of Nebraska. The Governor and the Legislature have meekly fallen to bended knee so they can serve and obey TransCanada and this massive clusterf*ck boondoggle project.

Disgustipating to watch politicians so completely sold out, and so totally in the realm of FAIL when it comes to responsibilities to their state.