NEBRASKA HIGH COURT TOSSES SUIT OVER KEYSTONE PIPELINE ROUTE
Source: AP
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) -- Nebraska's highest court tossed a lawsuit Friday challenging a proposed route for the Keystone XL oil pipeline, saying the landowners who sued didn't have legal standing to do so.
The closely watched Nebraska Supreme Court decision could remove a major roadblock for the $7 billion cross-continental project that Republicans have vowed to make a key part of their 2015 agenda in Congress.
In a split-decision, the court ruled that the three landowners who sued the state failed to show they had legal standing to bring their case. Four judges on the seven-judge court agreed that they did have legal standing, but because the case raised a constitutional question, a super-majority of five judges was needed.
"The legislation must stand by default," the court said in the opinion.
FULL story at link.
FILE - In this March 11, 2013, file photo, a sign reading "Stop the Transcanada Pipeline" stands in a field near Bradshaw, Neb. A bill to approve the Keystone XL oil pipeline cleared a key Senate committee Thursday, setting up a fight next week pitting newly empowered Republicans against President Barack Obama and Senate Democrats. The Senate Energy and Natural Resources committee moved the bill closer to the floor by a 13-9 vote. Sen Joe Manchin of West Virginia, one of six Democrats sponsoring the bill, was the only Democrat to support it in committee. The House will vote on its version of the bill Friday, and is expected to pass it easily. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik, File)
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http://www.omaha.com/news/metro/nebraska-supreme-court-upholds-law-used-to-route-keystone-xl/article_2dfdb554-819f-11e4-8e49-43a13bfd0af0.html
POSTED: FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2015 8:00 AM
By Joe Duggan / World-Herald Bureau
LINCOLN — The Nebraska Supreme Court removed a roadblock to the Keystone XL pipeline Friday when it reversed a lower court decision striking down the law used to route the project.
In a 4-3 split ruling, the high court vacated the lower court ruling and upheld the constitutionality of the law used to route the oil pipeline in Nebraska. Four of the judges sided with landowners who brought the lawsuit, but a super-majority of five judges is required to declare a law unconstitutional.
The highly anticipated decision took on national significance after the U.S. State Department halted its review of the pipeline to await the court’s decision. Because the pipeline would cross an international border, the department must determine whether it meets the national interest before recommending that it receive a presidential permit.
Friday’s decision means the State Department can resume its review so President Barack Obama can make his decision. And it ends a lawsuit filed in 2012 by three Nebraska landowners who live on or near the proposed route.
FULL story at link.
...I thought that the GOP was all about landowner rights and such? 
Seems the ball is in Pres. Obama's court. I realize he has said no already..
..........Gov. Pete Ricketts issued a statement Friday morning, urging President Obama to move ahead quickly with approving the pipeline.
