Labor leaders back pipeline (OS at odds with leaders on environmental concerns)

[Omaha Steve]

It isn't often I don't agree with labor. The proposed route runs over the Ogallala Aquifer and pristine ecosystems. Move it to the East end of Nebraska and I'm willing to listen. This same company opened a new pipeline and had a huge leak in 2-3 months time. They want to use a thinner shell pipe than is standard. Change the route and I'll listen.

http://www.waterencyclopedia.com/Oc-Po/Ogallala-Aquifer.html



The Ogallala Aquifer occupies the High Plains of the United States, extending northward from western Texas to South Dakota. The Ogallala is the leading geologic formation in what is known as the High Plains Aquifer System. The entire system underlies about 450,000 square kilometers (174,000 square miles) of eight states. Although there are several other minor geologic formations in the High Plains Aquifer System, such as the Tertiary Brule and Arikaree and the Dakota formations of the Cretaceous, these several units are often referred to as the Ogallala Aquifer.

Read more: Ogallala Aquifer - depth, important, system, source http://www.waterencyclopedia.com/Oc-Po/Ogallala-Aquifer.html#ixzz0zgoBDhRc


http://www.omaha.com/article/20100915/NEWS01/100919803/1003#labor-leaders-back-pipeline

By Ross Boettcher

Nebraska labor leaders and representatives of a company that wants to build an oil pipeline through the western part of the state were expected to announce an agreement Thursday on the wages, hours and working conditions for the union workers hired for the project.

The Omaha Federation of Labor favors the $7 billion Keystone XL project because it could create hundreds of jobs and generate tax revenue for communities where it is built, the organization said in a press release Wednesday.

According to the agreement, about 75 percent of the workers on the project will be laborers, with the remaining jobs going to operating engineers, Teamsters and some steamfitters, said Ron Kaminski, business manager of Laborers' International Local 1140 in Omaha.

"We're talking about good-paying jobs that provide benefits for the people working on that project," Kaminski said.

TransCanada's pipeline project, which still is awaiting federal approval, has been criticized by Sen. Mike Johanns, R-Neb., and three Nebraska environmental groups because of safety concerns and letters that the company sent to landowners.

The letters threatened to use eminent domain to gain easements for the pipeline unless landowners agreed to terms within 30 days. TransCanada since has lifted its negotiating deadlines and doesn't plan to use eminent domain at this time, a company spokesman said.

FULL story at link.