NWF Says New Keystone XL Map Revisits Old Problems

TransCanada, the company behind the Keystone XL pipeline, has submitted its official route through the state of Nebraska–but still managed to dodge its responsibilities to people and wildlife.  This controversial portion of the project originally went through the Nebraska Sandhills, over the Ogallala Aquifer, and through hundreds of people’s backyards—threatening precious resources, wildlife habitat, and communities. After mass mobilization in the state and the denial of the presidential permit by President Barack Obama, TransCanada had to resubmit their plans to cut across the state of Nebraska. Despite the slightly revised route, TransCanada’s proposal would still cut through similar terrain and endanger the Ogallala.

The Proposed Alternative

The proposed route changes for the Keystone XL pipeline, as announced Sept. 5, 2012.

NWF’s Statement

Joe Mendelson, National Wildlife Federation climate and energy policy director, said:

“The reason TransCanada needs to keep rerouting the Keystone XL map is because it’s just a bad idea. Each new map amounts to a catalog of which property owners will suffer, and what habitat will be placed at risk. The best approach is to ditch Keystone XL entirely and embrace clean energy solutions that don’t spill or explode.”

For more information, visit NWF’s Keystone XL page.

Same Problems, Same Risks

Jane Kleeb with Bold Nebraska says,

The new route still risks our land, water and property rights. The new route still crosses high water tables, sandy soil which leads to higher vulnerability of contamination and still crosses the Ogallala Aquifer, the lifeblood of Nebraska’s economy.”

Let’s get rid of this project once and for all. 

Take ActionLet the U.S. State Department know you want to protect people and wildlife from this dangerous tar sands pipeline!