Nebraska to hear Keystone XL argument

BISMARCK, N.D., Sept. 5 (UPI) -- The Nebraska Supreme Court scheduled to hear oral arguments Friday over whether the state's governor had authority to approve the route for Keystone XL.

In April, the U.S. State Department said challenges to a state law giving Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman authority over the pipeline's route and the more than 2.5 million public comments meant more time was needed for federal review.

Pipeline company TransCanada submitted the application needed to get a permit to build the cross-border Keystone XL pipeline to the U.S. federal government more than five years ago.

The company in February suffered a setback when Nebraska court ruled Heineman exceeded his authority when he signed off on the pipeline's modified route through the state. TransCanada was forced to revise the original route to avoid a sensitive ecosystem.

The court scheduled oral arguments Friday in a case weighing whether or not Heineman's authority granted under a pipeline siting law is in line with the state's constitution.

Supporters of Keystone XL describe the pipeline as beneficial to North American energy security and the economy. Detractors said it's designed for exports and worry the heavier grade of Canadian crude oil designated for the pipeline poses too great of an environmental threat to embrace.