LINCOLN— The Keystone XL pipeline could reemerge as a political issue after President Donald Trump suggested reviving the project as part of broader trade discussions with Canada. The pipeline was designed to transport Canadian crude oil through Nebraska and other states to Gulf Coast refineries, but years of political and legal disputes culminated in President Joe Biden revoking its permit in 2021.

Former Nebraska state Sen. Jim Smith and Rep. Mike Flood, both longtime supporters, argue Keystone XL could improve U.S. energy reliability, affordability and independence. However, Flood acknowledged that restarting the project may no longer be economically realistic because of uncertainty surrounding federal permits and years of changing energy policy.

Opponents, including Nebraska Democratic Party Chair Jane Kleeb and retired rancher Randy Thompson, say they would fight the project again. Their concerns center on potential environmental impacts and the use of eminent domain on Nebraska farmers and ranchers. A revival would therefore likely renew many of the same disputes over energy development, environmental protection and private property rights that surrounded Keystone XL for more than a decade.

Click HERE for the full article