TransCanada Corp. announced the approval of re-route of the proposed Keystone XL Pipeline through the state. The approved reroute now becomes part of the project's Presidential Permit application with the U.S. Department of State, which was filed on May 4, 2012.

The need for Keystone XL continues to grow stronger as North American oil production increases and having the right infrastructure in place is critical to meet the goal of reducing dependence on foreign oil, concluded Girling. Keystone XL is the most studied cross-border pipeline ever proposed, and it remains in America's national interests to approve a pipeline that will have a minimal impact on the environment. The preferred route avoids the area that is defined as the Nebraska Sandhills.

This area was defined by state and other agencies in 2001 long before a pipeline was considered. Construction and operation of the Keystone XL Pipeline is expected to have minimal environmental impacts in Nebraska. The physical and chemical properties of crude oil transported in Keystone XL will be similar to the light and heavy crude oils already being transported safely in pipelines across the United States.

TransCanada will provide local emergency responders with Material Safety Data Sheets for products contained in the pipeline immediately in the event of a spill. This proposed oil pipeline will transport oil from Hardisty, Alberta and Baker, Montana before reaching delivery terminals in Steele City, Nebraska. Keystone XL is estimated to cost about $5.3 billion (U.S. funds) to build and will support the creation of 9,000 jobs on the American portion of the pipeline and about 2,200 on the Canadian side.

The projected in-service date for Keystone XL is late 2014 or early 2015, subject to approval of the company's Presidential Permit application.