LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) – An attorney for opponents of the Keystone XL says Nebraska’s sovereign immunity would protect the state from lawsuits if officials diverted the proposed oil pipeline.
Sierra Club attorney Alan Peterson said Monday that even if the state waived its immunity to a lawsuit and lost, pipeline developers could not likely recover more than the cost of right-of-way easements obtained from landowners.
Peterson made his statements to the Legislature’s Natural Resources Committee during the first day of special session hearings aimed at major oil pipelines. His comments were in reference to a bill (LB1) by Fullerton Sen. Annette Dubas that would give Nebraska’s Public Service Commission authority over pipeline routes.
The session was called amid concerns over the Keystone XL. Supporters say it’s too late for Nebraska to assert routing authority.