State Department releases assessment of Keystone XL Pipeline

The State Department released the draft supplemental environmental impact statement on the controversial Keystone XL Pipeline.

The 2,000-page report does not say whether the pipeline should be approved. That decision won't be made until after a 45-day comment period.

But the document addresses a key issue that was raised by tribes, farmers and ranchers in Nebraska. Since the pipeline route has been changed, it won't have a major impact on the Ogallala Aquifer, according to the report.

The pipeline would start in Canada, cross the border and run through Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas. Tribes oppose the project due to concerns about water, environment and their treaty lands.

Get the Story:
Keystone XL report raises critics' ire (The Lincoln Journal Star 3/2)
Keystone XL pipeline would have little impact on climate change, State Department analysis says (The Washington Post 3/2)
Report May Ease Path for New Pipeline (The New York Times 3/2)
Railroads emerge as alternative to Keystone XL pipeline for moving oil sands from Canada (The Washington Post 3/3)

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