LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) – Gov. Dave Heineman has confirmed he will sign a bill allowing Nebraska to restart its review of the proposed Keystone XL pipeline.
Heineman told reporters Friday that he wanted the oil pipeline project to move forward, as long as it avoids Nebraska’s environmentally sensitive Sandhills.
The bill would authorize the state to continue its analysis of new possible routes. Officials stopped the review after President Barack Obama denied a federal permit for the project.
Heineman has long said he supported the pipeline, but opposed its original route through the groundwater-rich Sandhills.
He made the comment in Grand Island, while urging lawmakers to uphold his veto of a city sales tax bill. Heineman appeared alongside Grand Island Mayor Jay Vavricek, who opposes the sales tax measure.
The bill is LB1161.