TransCanada is proceeding with the Keystone XL Pipeline, the developer announced Thursday it will go through "permitting process advances through 2018" and begin primary construction in 2019.
According to a release, TransCanada will used the alternative route approved by the Nebraska Public Service Commission in November. The company also has 20-year commitments from numerous oil companies, allowing 500,000 barrels to be shipped through the pipeline daily.
The pipeline, however, still faces a legal challenge from land owners on the approved route.
"We've heard they've had commitments for years, they've never turned out to be true there's no evidence that these are true," said landowner attorney Brian Jorde.
Jorde believes the price of this type of oil is so low, it's not economically feasible to transport, "That's not enough to make the project viable and I don't think that any shipper would sign up for something that's so in doubt."
That challenge isn't expected to be resolved until later in the year.
