Reject KXL Before Threat of More Destruction to Habitat and More Wasteful Expenses

The Keystone XL pipeline would threaten sandhill cranes with the possibility of oil spills and increased collisions with power lines. Photo donated by National Wildlife Photo Contest entrant Myrna Erler-Bradshaw
The announcement is another win for the landowners in the path of the Keystone XL and the many Nebraska and national groups that have been fighting against the tar sands pipeline.
President Obama should use this opportunity to formally reject the federal permit for the Keystone XL.
If the President delays rejection, TransCanada, Nebraska state agencies, local communities, citizen groups and others could spend months or years and precious dollars fighting over the route for a proposed pipeline that might never be built.
Win or lose, TransCanada would be on the hook for the cost to state agencies to assess and review the proposed route. However, Nebraska’s small towns, rural counties, Tribal governments and civic groups have no way to charge TransCanada for the money they will pay to review, understand and tell the public about the risks and impacts of the pipeline.

Help sandhill cranes and other wildlife by stopping the Keystone XL pipeline. Photo donated by National Wildlife Photo Contest entrant Daniel Ruf
Keep saying NO to Keystone and YES to Wildlife!
About the Author: Duane Hovorka is executive director of the Nebraska Wildlife Federation.