Reasons We Continue to Oppose TransCanada's Tar Sands ...

by Albert Lierz

1.The tar sands process. It starts with verdant forests filled with vibrant life, and kills every living thing in its path, ending with toxic tailings ponds. Sort of like finding the Garden of Eden and converting it to hell on earth in one process.

2.TransCanada’s dealings with landowners. They repeatedly threatened to use eminent domain against fourth and fifth generation Nebraskans , although there are serious questions whether they had the authority to do so.  Many attorneys believe it is fraud to obtain property by false representations, and TransCanada obtained easements by claiming eminent domain authority and by claiming time limits that were simply not true.

3.TransCanada’s dealings with Nebraska public officials. TransCanada has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars lobbying the Nebraska Legislature. LB 1161, the bill that created the current siting law, had at least 10 different versions, the last one introduced minutes before it was debated in the Legislature. There was no opportunity for public input on this final version, contrary to the usual rule that all legislation receive a public hearing. LB 1161 gives TransCanada special eminent domain authority and gives Governor Heineman the authority to approve the route, the same Governor who has been saying the pipeline should be built as soon as possible. Talk about a lack of objective review.

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