Last week, a state commission approved a route that could bring another oil pipeline through Seward County.
The Nebraska Public Service Commission voted Nov. 20 to approve an alternative route labeled Keystone Mainline Alternative Route through the state.
In February, TransCanada Keystone Pipeline applied to the commission seeking approval of a route. The application included three proposed routes, one of which was designated as the preferred route and two others as alternative routes. All three routes enter Nebraska in Keya Paha County and end at Steele City in Jefferson County.
The preferred route was previously reviewed by the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality and approved by Gov. Pete Ricketts. It is located to the east of the Sandhills Alternative Route.
After Nebraskans raised environmental concerns, Keystone moved the route, adding approximately 20 miles to the pipeline length and diverting it away from the Sandhills, according to the Commission’s final order report. The Mainline Alternative Route follows a similar route with the Keystone I Pipeline as they meet up in Madison County. The commission wrote that it sees many benefits to maximize the co-location of the two pipelines.
“It is in the public interest to maximize monitoring resources and increase the efficiency of response times. This would also assist emergency responders and others that may be called upon to assist with any issues that may arise with either pipeline,” according to the report.
The commission said that the Alternative Mainline Route impacts fewer miles of the ranges of threatened and endangered species.
On Nov. 20, TransCanada said that it is evaluating and reviewing the Commission’s decision while assessing how it would impact the cost and schedule of the project.
“As a result of today’s decision, we will conduct a careful review of the Public Service Commission’s ruling while assessing how the decision would impact the cost and schedule of the project,” said Russ Girling, TransCanada’s president and chief executive officer.
Robynn Tysver, a spokesperson for TransCanada, said any landowners who have questions or who want to chat with them can reach us either by telephone or by email: 1-866-585-7063 or kxlland@transcanada.com.
“We will have representatives in the communities shortly to talk to landowners, but we want to begin the process of starting a conversation now,” said Robynn Tysver, a spokesperson for TransCanada. “We will negotiate with landowners in good faith and give them the time they need to understand the project and what it means for them and their families.”
The 36-inch pipeline would run approximately 880 miles from Canada to Steele City where it would connect with the company’s baseline.
“We were surprised with the decision of the Public Service Commission’s approval of the Keystone Mainline alternative route. Most of the focus for years has been on the TransCanada preferred route. Much of the discussion during the PSC hearings focused on the preferred route,” local resident Bonnie Kruse said.
Jon and Bonnie Kruse own a farm about 1 mile west of Seward. The original pipeline comes through their property.
The Kruses were vocal about pipeline safety and their concerns about water supply during discussions about the first pipeline.
The route approved last week appears to avoid wellhead protection areas throughout Nebraska.
“We are gratified that our hard work and the hard work of all those involved regarding the City of Seward Wellhead Protection Area over so many years has paid off. We respect TransCanada for avoiding the Seward Wellhead Protection Area as they drew the route for the Keystone Mainline alternative route. Pipeline safety is important to TransCanada.”
Kruse said it is important for the landowners and Native Americans that could now be possibly impacted to support each other and make use of the resources that are available to them.
“Now is the time. Much can still be done to ensure that they are recognized and respected. We recognize the efforts of the Nebraska Farmers Union, Bold Nebraska and the incredible legal work that is offered by Dave Domina and Brian Jorde. At the same time, should TransCanada decide to build the pipeline, we encourage them to have a plan to work with the landowners and Native Americans in good faith,” Kruse said. “We support renewable energy. TransCanada is also involved in renewable energy wind and solar projects. There is synergy and the possibility of positive outcomes for all concerned.”
