Nebraska Governor OKs Keystone XL Route through State

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP/Staff) – Environmentalists are looking ahead to what they say will be the first test of President Barack Obama’s commitment to fight climate change — a commitment he made in Monday’s inaugural address. They say that test will come as Obama decides whether to approve the Keystone XL oil pipeline from Canada to the Gulf Coast. On Tuesday, the Republican governor of Nebraska gave his approval to a new route for the pipeline through his state — a move that adds to the pressure for the White House to approve or reject the project without delay.

Opponents have urged Obama to deny a federal permit for the project — a permit that would be needed because the pipeline crosses an international border. A coalition of landowners and environmental groups say it would contaminate a massive groundwater supply. Canadian pipeline developer TransCanada and some workers’ unions say the project is safe and will create thousands of jobs. Work has already begun on the pipeline’s southern route, which would carry it through much of East Texas — a region that continues to see its share of battles over the pipeline.