Local officials have some say on Keystone XL pipeline, federal regulator says

Source: Omaha World Herald

By Joe Duggan / World-Herald Bureau

LINCOLN — The Canadian company that wants to build the Keystone XL pipeline has long said local attempts to regulate pipeline safety in Nebraska could violate federal law.

While that’s true, local governments still have “broad powers” to control land use and property development near pipelines, according to a recent letter sent to TransCanada Inc. from a federal regulator. Those powers include authority to create emergency plans in the event of a pipeline rupture.

In a written response to the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, a company official continued to express the view that Nebraska pipeline zoning proposals reach beyond their authority.

Meanwhile, elected officials in one of the counties along the pipeline’s route just want to know what they can include in proposed regulations.

FULL story at link.


Read more: http://www.omaha.com/news/nebraska/local-officials-have-some-say-on-keystone-xl-pipeline-federal/article_2eae7348-1f3e-54f1-b8ea-a04549f8263f.html