Passions ran high during the public service commission's third and possibly final public meeting on the controversial Keystone XL Pipeline before the official hearings in August.
I'm in Norfolk for the @NEB_PSC meeting on the #KeystoneXLPipeline fight. Room is pretty full. Getting underway now. @3NewsNowOmaha pic.twitter.com/btkobN8tWE
— Nick Starling (@NickStarlingTV) June 28, 2017
During this 8-hour hearing, there was passionate testimony from both sides-those for the pipeline saying this will create jobs, and that it's a safe way to transport oil.
However many landowners say they don't want to give up their land and they don't want to hurt their water supply.
The battle over the controversial keystone xl pipeline continues as pipeline fighter and supporters plead to the public service commission.
Those for the pipeline running through Nebraska say this will be a major job investment and see this as a way to get our oil from a trusting partner in Canada, not the Middle East.
"A spill to the Ogalala aquifer will not only threaten the drinking water of millions of americans, but threaten the livelihood of hundreds of thousands of farmers and ranchers," said Becky Van Housen, a farmer near the route.
This #KeystoneXLPipeline protester says this isn't about oil, it's about preserving water. @3NewsNowOmaha pic.twitter.com/pEAuCGXJ2Y
— Nick Starling (@NickStarlingTV) June 28, 2017
Both Bold Nebraska and TransCanada say they understand the importance these meetings have on the commissioners who ultimately will make the final decision:
"Having these meetings in different parts of the state so people participate is a great part, and we take part in each of these meetings, and I think it's been very successful so far."
"Having these meetings in York, here in Norfolk, and particularly the one in O'Neil is very, very good to stage those that way."
Throughout the meetings, however, the attendance has slipped.
According to the Public Service Commission, the first meeting in York had 135 speakers; O'Neil had 90; and as of 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, 72 speakers had given their opinions at the Norfolk meeting.
While there isn't a fourth public meeting planned, the commissioners are talking about having one before the August hearings start; those are slated for Aug. 7-11.
