Judge strikes down law allowing Keystone XL in Nebraska

photo by Michael S. Williamson, courtesy of the Washington Post

A Nebraska judge ruled Wednesday that the state violated its constitution when it allowed the governor to approve the route of the controversial Keystone XL pipeline, a decision that could significantly delay the $5.3 billion project.

District Court judge Stephanie F. Stacy blocked Governor Dave Heineman (R and other defendants “from taking any action on the governor’s January 22, 2013, approval of the Keystone XL Pipeline route,” such as allowing land to be acquired by eminent domain for the project.

More than 200 miles of the TransCanada pipeline, which would carry heavy crude oil from Canada to refineries along the Gulf of Mexico, runs through Nebraska.

This is the first positive news in a long time about this environmentally devastating project. Let’s hope we can look forward to more good news on this subject soon.