[Keystone XL] Oil pipeline opponents pin hopes on Nebraska

[Hoosier Daddy]

Source: Salon

Environmentalists hoping to block a proposed underground oil pipeline that would snake 1,700 miles from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico have pinned their hopes on an unlikely ally -- the conservative state of Nebraska.

Few states are as red as Nebraska, which hasn't supported a Democratic presidential candidate since 1964. But opposition to the Keystone XL pipeline has risen steadily since the project was proposed three years ago.

The reason: Fears of contaminating the Ogallala Aquifer, a vast subterranean reservoir that spans a large swath of the Great Plains and provides water to much of Nebraska, as well as seven other states. Opponents have grown to include Nebraska's conservative governor and two U.S. senators, a Republican and a conservative Democrat.

Many in the public are hostile to the idea, too. When a pipeline company logo was displayed on a stadium screen during a recent Nebraska Cornhuskers game, boos rained down from the crowd of 85,000. The university agreed to stop running the ads.

Read more: http://www.salon.com/wires/us/2011/09/25/D9PVKDI01_us_oil_pipeline/index.html

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A red state resisting Big Oil?
:wow:

[ixion]

1. Nebraska is a more practical red state than it's conservative neighbors

Like Kansas, for example. Being from there, it makes me proud to see them push back.

[Scruffy1]

2. I predict a shift in these red states sometime in the future.

Just because the Republicans control these mid western states like Kansas and Nebraska doesn't mean what many progressives think. The first thing to realize is that it is fairly easy to control the media in sparsely populated states and the National Republican Party views it as a cheap source of Senators. A million bucks there goes a lot farther in Wyoming than it does in California. Also there is an old populist tradition in all the western states.
Thirdly, party affiliation is often inherited and tends to change slowly. Most shifts are caused by demographic changes.

Just look at how quick these elected officials listened to the voters on this issue. I think its safe to assume that at this point Obama will approve it and their opposition guarantees continued Republican control of Nebraska. It's a win win situation for them and a total debacle for the Democratic Party.

Of course I don't believe that any of these elected officials really oppose it. It's just cheap posturing to be on the side of the public in a decision that they don't have to vote on. Free lunch, and of course the Dems will shoot themselves in the foot.

[donquijoterocket]

3. there is

Of course,the old plains populist sentiment but the proposed route runs this through some of Nebraska's most valued and valuable topography- the Sand Hills and over one of the state and regions most valuable assets the Ogalalla aquifer.They'll of course make the "jobs" argument but constructing the pipeline is not forever. farming there is and the aquifer supplies irrigation and drinking water to the greatest share of the region. It remains to be seen how this will come down in the long run, but if ag gets into the opposition act it will be a tough sell.

[jimlup]

4. Nebraska is also a "carbon" state

But remember Omaha was Blue in '08 and Obama got that electoral vote.