Sen. Ben Nelson said Wednesday that he sent a letter to the U.S. State Department asking for an update and copies of correspondence concerning its efforts to gather analyses and viewpoints from federal, state and local officials about the Keystone XL pipeline proposed to be constructed from Canada through Nebraska.

 “Certainly with the continuing Gulf of Mexico oil spill tragedy and a break in a pipeline this week in Michigan, the State Department should seek to gain a better understanding of safety issues and the environmental impacts of the proposed oil pipeline on our state,” Nelson said. “It is important that the Department seek all analyses regarding the Keystone project, not only from federal sources but also from state and local government agencies.”

 Nelson said it is his understanding  that the Department did extend its deadline for public comment to allow for additional views from state officials in Nebraska. He said that will help answer concerns and uncertainties he is hearing from many Nebraskans.

“Whatever decision the Department reaches on the proposed Keystone pipeline, it must take into full account all viewpoints—from federal and state sources–and consider the importance of the Ogallala Aquifer and the Sandhills to Nebraska’s economic and agricultural livelihood,” Nelson said.

 Senator Nelson sent the letter on July 27. A copy follows:

 The Honorable William Burns

Undersecretary for Political Affairs

U.S. Department of State

Washington, DC 20520

July 27,2010

 Dear Under Secretary Burns:

 I write as a follow up to our July 2, 2010, phone call, wherein I visited with you and other officials at the U.S. Department of State regarding the Keystone XL pipeline.

 During our conversation, I stressed to you the importance of the State Department seeking further information and viewpoints from state and local officials within my home state of Nebraska regarding the pipeline before completing your agency’s review of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). This is absolutely essential in light of recent concerns raised by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding the Draft EIS and an extension of the timetable for review of the EIS, as recently posted on the State Department’s website: “After further consultation with those agencies, the Department has extended the time for all consulted federal agencies to provide their views to the Department until ninety (90) days following issuance of the final EIS.”  By doing so, the State Department will gain a better understanding of the safety issues and environmental impacts which the proposed oil pipeline would have on Nebraska and its ecosystem.

 With the ongoing tragedy in the Gulf of Mexico and today’s pipeline break into the Kalamazoo River in southwest Michigan, it is important in my view that the State Department seeks out all of the analyses it can regarding the Keystone XL pipeline, not only from federal sources, but also from state government agencies.  Doing so will help in answering the many concerns and uncertainties my constituency has raised regarding the proposed pipeline and ensure that whatever decision the State Department makes will take into full account the importance of the Ogallala Aquifer and the Sandhills to Nebraska’s economic and agricultural livelihood.

 Therefore, I respectfully request an update as to the State Department’s efforts, including copies of letters from the agency and responses received, to gain a greater understanding from state and local officials surrounding the environmental and economic impacts the proposed pipeline will have on my home state of Nebraska.

 Mr. Under Secretary, thank you for your consideration of my request. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,

Senator Ben Nelson