Wednesday January 23, 2013, 10:25 pm
Better for Obama's decision puts TransCanada and Nebraska in a bind. Their own stupid fault for wasting money before final approval. They can think of it as paying a kamic debt.

Thursday January 24, 2013, 4:10 am
They could always delay it again.

Thursday January 24, 2013, 4:20 am
What are they thinking? Not.

Thursday January 24, 2013, 4:59 am
Obama needs to listen to his daughters, who have way more sense than Dave Heineman and his masters at TransCanada. The future of most species on this planet--even humans--is at stake. All the climate deniers care about is their portfolios. Future generations be damned.

Thursday January 24, 2013, 5:13 am
noted, thanks Cal

Thursday January 24, 2013, 5:53 am
Just say NO NO NO!!!

Thursday January 24, 2013, 6:28 am
What would happen if the Government made a mega-millions commitment to solar and wind energy?

How loud would the screaming be, as rich OIL/GAS companies began howling?

What would Republicans have to say?

How much cooperation do you think Obama could get on ''the hill?"

Thursday January 24, 2013, 11:42 am
Obama signed an agreement with the Canadians for this pipeline; money was exchanged. The pipeline is a done done. The only avenue left to Obama is to see how he can make this horror more environmentally workable. Good luck.

Thursday January 24, 2013, 11:53 am
The President, I'm sure would hear all arguments for and against - if it has to go ahead, surely they should spend the money to make it absolutely safe. That would make it less economically viable. Make it a condition that they invest in solar energy as part of the deall.

Thursday January 24, 2013, 12:04 pm
thanks Cal

Thursday January 24, 2013, 1:14 pm
Our Tea Party Governor Heineman may approve of the pipeline but there are a whole lot of Nebraskans that do not approve of it. Lay it if you dare but even the Sierra Club has committed to Civil Disobedience over the Pipeline.

Thursday January 24, 2013, 1:26 pm
I was just going to say what Margery Coffey said. I know people in Nebraska who are totally against the pipeline. We just need to keep pushing the politicians to stop this. The oil doesn't even stay in the USA.

Thursday January 24, 2013, 1:42 pm
Whats wrong with these people.Say NO to the pipeline

Thursday January 24, 2013, 1:49 pm
Noted and read with thanks Cal. The President is going to be in a real bind on this one.
I'm Canadian, and my own opinion is that this pipeline should not go through - also the proposed pipeline by Endbridge going west through Alberta into the most pristine rainforest in British Columbia to the west coast, should also not go through. China (Asia) wants the oil - get it somewhere else. I understand how much our province depends on the revenue, but this is too risky!

Thursday January 24, 2013, 1:50 pm
I just want to say that even though I was born and raised in Nebraska, I NEVER voted for Mr. Heineman.

Thursday January 24, 2013, 2:18 pm
Could someone re-write Amy Winehouse's "Rehab" chorus with the Pipeline as the topic? It could be funny.

Thursday January 24, 2013, 2:35 pm
Noted thanks

Thursday January 24, 2013, 3:03 pm
It seems that there are quite a few Nebraskans who aren't happy about this. that governor must have gotten some "funny money" slid into his back pocket.

Thursday January 24, 2013, 3:28 pm
noted

Thursday January 24, 2013, 3:51 pm
Margery, above, mentioned that the Sierra Club "is committed to Civil Disobedience over the Pipeline." The mailing I got from them today says that this is the 1st time they will do this type of protest. This is big news. Don't know if the media's covering it, though, since I don't watch much of it. I don't live in the area, but the protesters have my full support, and I'll keep signing those petitions and sending those letters as well. I really liked Pam's comment about the gov't giving mega-millions to wind & solar energy.

Thursday January 24, 2013, 4:18 pm
Me thinks we are looking at a done deal - not because money changed hands, but because (as I read it) all the issues raised for denial, or a hold, have been met.
"TransCanada is set to carry $200 million in third-party liability insurance to cover any cleanup costs, Governor Heineman says in the letter. He also writes that the proposed reroute “avoids many areas of fragile soils in Northern Nebraska” and “avoids a shallow groundwater area ... where the aquifer is thin, wells are shallow, and bedrock is close to the surface.”
Gov. Dave Heineman states "he is now satisfied with the pipeline’s new routing. The potential environmental risks, he says, are lessened." While I shudder to consider the consequences, I'm not sure there's still a strong leg to take a stand on here, at least politically speaking.

Thursday January 24, 2013, 4:27 pm
Thanks.

Thursday January 24, 2013, 4:47 pm
Don't let the pipeline and the tar sands go ahead. What a disaster that would be.

Thursday January 24, 2013, 4:52 pm
Noted , dumb idea !!!

Thursday January 24, 2013, 5:01 pm
Thanks Cal for the link to the article by Mark Guarino. Of course Gov. Heineman would, he's a Republican. I do hope that President Obama does the right thing and blocks the approval. The third-party liability insurance of $200 million mentioned in the article wouldn't even begin to cover any disastrous spill that might occur. Read and noted.

Thursday January 24, 2013, 5:59 pm
Oh no, my family has a big farm in Nebraska. This is not good, the Pipeline is not good in any way.

Thursday January 24, 2013, 7:09 pm
I have a bad feeling about this. TX landowners land is being taken away by eminent domain and now, the new route is acceptable. "The potential environmental risks are lessened" - how can that be acceptable? Only no risks are acceptable. We are screwed; the pipeline is going in. There absolutely will be a spill and contamination. I feel sorry for us Americans; we are easily duped into believing that this is a good thing. 20,000 jobs; the last time it was 5,000 - where did the increase come from? Big risk to take so these rich bastards can get even richer.

Thursday January 24, 2013, 10:15 pm
"As for Obama’s comment regarding sustainable energy, Dunbar acknowledges that “it’s not a thing you want to hear when you want a pipeline approved.” He adds, “I don’t think we can live on green energy, not yet anyway.”"

And if this does go through, that will push back the development of green energy. It is the lazy man theory. Don't do anything until your back is up against a wall.

"...He and he alone stands in the way of tens of thousands of new jobs and energy security,” House Speaker John Boehner (R) said in a statement."

Russ Girling, TransCanada’s president and chief executive officer,. . . the enhanced energy security it will provide and the thousands of jobs it will create.”

So Boehner says 10s of thousands of jobs while TransCanada says thousands. Can't they agree on roughly how many jobs will be created? What they also fail to do is say that most of these jobs are temporary --- construction only.

The Alberta premier has written a letter to Mr Obama in support of the pipeline --- of course she has becauselike everybody else, she fails to see the deliterious effects of the pipeline. This pipeline, and the Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline from the Alberta tarsands are both on the Idle No More agenda to stop. There are so many potential and existing negatives that First Nations are up in arms as well as others standing with them.

Mr Obama, please stick to the green pathway.

Thursday January 24, 2013, 11:25 pm
There is very little that will benefit our country here. Our continued dependence on fossil fuel is frightening. We need real alternatives and we need them yesterday.

Friday January 25, 2013, 12:11 am
Please do not allow this project to go through. You have nothing to lose as this is your final term, a term which you can use to do what is right for society and nature. Protect the environment please. If you do not take the first step, who will?

Friday January 25, 2013, 3:21 am
Well here goes another disaster in the making. To bad the Mayan calender was way off. This planet needs a fresh start...

Friday January 25, 2013, 5:24 am
ty

Friday January 25, 2013, 5:26 am
Obama needs to show backbone and love of country by banning this project. His is to lead and the Governopr and others to follow.

Friday January 25, 2013, 7:20 am
Time to let the President know we are behind him if he refuses this mess - it's ever so much easier if he can say "the American people have spoken..." So, let's speak!

Friday January 25, 2013, 9:31 am
This is wrong! Thanks

Friday January 25, 2013, 12:05 pm
The Keystone XL pipeline is a bit of a red herring to those who are concerned with real environmental change. The president should let this one go (i.e. allow it to move forward) and instead focus his energies on promoting climate change legislation that will actually make a difference.

Friday January 25, 2013, 3:46 pm
Such short-sighted decisions from Nebraska's legislators, WILL come back to bite them in the butt.
Of course, they only care about the kickbacks, today.
It amazes me, that they don't appear to care about being re-elected.

Friday January 25, 2013, 3:54 pm
I watched profiles on ants and bees, today, on TV.
They have managed to survive for millions of years for one distinct reason. They do whatever it takes to keep the colonies safe, healthy and productive. Anything that would do damage to their way of life, is eliminated.

AND, we have some idea that we are 'superior'.

Saturday January 26, 2013, 2:06 pm
Why could Nebraska approve in the first place?

Monday January 28, 2013, 8:14 am
Thanks