Canadian energy infrastructure group TransCanada will file an application with the Nebraska Public Service Commission (PSC) to seek approval for the Keystone XL route through the state (United States). The proposed route is the one that was approved by the Nebraska governor and that was evaluated by the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality. In January 2015, the Nebraska Supreme Court (United States) finally approved the route, overturning a ruling by a lower court that blocked the construction in February 2014.
The Keystone XL Pipeline is a proposed 1,897 km crude oil pipeline beginning in Hardisty, Alberta (Canada), and extending south to Steele City, Nebraska (United States). It would enable to transport up to 830,000 bbl/d of crude oil to the Gulf Coast and Midwest refineries. The project was initially proposed in 2008 but aroused a fierce opposition from environmentalist groups. Total investment is estimated at US$8bn.
Keystone XL is a highly controversial project, which was approved by the US Senate in January 2015 and by the House of Representatives in mid-February 2015 but vetoed by President Obama in February 2015. This might leave the project in limbo for an indefinite period.