A bill that would allow Nebraska to restart its review of the Keystone XL pipeline proposal is inching closer to final passage in the Legislature.
Lawmakers gave the proposal second-round approval Thursday,
after making changes to try to address the opponent concerns. The
state review stalled after President Barack Obama denied a federal
project permit in January.
The bill would require at least one public hearing by the
Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality, before the agency
makes a recommendation to the governor. Pipeline developer
TransCanada would also have to reimburse the state for the cost of
the review.
The measure also requires the Public Service Commission to
review the project if the governor rejects a proposed route. The
commission is an independent government body, with members elected
from districts.