News Release - For Immediate Release

January 23, 2013

Contact: Michael Reeves

(806) 775-2338

michael.reeves@portstoplains.com

Ports-to-Plains Supports Nebraska Governor’s KXL Decision

Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman approved a revised route for the Keystone XL Pipeline

through Nebraska; a route that he says will avoid the Sandhills area. The process now moves

to the U.S. State Department and President Obama for approval.

“We are pleased with Gov. Heineman’s decision, and hope that President Obama will follow

suit and approve the Keystone XL Pipeline,” said Ports-to-Plains Alliance President Michael

Reeves. “The pipeline allows us to gain energy independence from Middle East and Venezuelan

oil by increasing supplies from our stable and friendly neighbors in Alberta and provides

improved transport of Bakken oil from Montana and North Dakota. It also creates American

jobs, not only in construction of the pipeline, but also in American companies that supply

Alberta oil development.”

The Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality’s evaluation report on Keystone XL to Gov.

Heineman concluded the environmental impacts would be minimal and that TransCanada

Corp., the pipeline sponsor, had agreed to special mitigation and monitoring measures.

Because the pipeline crosses an international border the State Department must review the

project and President Obama must issue a permit for construction to proceed. The State

Department is currently conducting a supplemental environmental impact statement on the

route, which is expected to be completed by the end of March. An earlier State Department

Environmental Impact Statement found that the project would have minimal adverse effects

along the route.

Ports-to-Plains has been a vocal advocate for the Keystone XL Pipeline, testifying at public

hearings and submitting letters of support from more than 100 local leaders throughout the

corridor.

“Our members understand that Keystone XL is good for our country’s energy future, and is

good for our local economies, and they are proud to support it,” said Reeves.

-30-

as

January 22, 2013

The Honorable Dave Heineman Office of the Governor PO Box 1500 Scottsbluff, NE 69363-1500

Dear Governor Heineman:

Thank you for approving the new route for the Keystone XL Pipeline. The project will allow America to gain

independence from Middle East and Venezuelan oil by increasing supplies from our loyal, stable and secure ally

in Canada. It will also be a major economic development booster for our country and region, not only in the

construction of the pipeline, but in further development of Alberta’s oil resources. For every two Canadian jobs

created by the oil sands, a third is created in the US. Alberta oil sands development is projected to generate

more than $500 billion in US economic impact over the next 25 years.

The Ports-to-Plains Alliance is a grass roots organization consisting of communities throughout North America’s

agriculture and energy heartland. Our members have been overwhelmingly supportive of the Keystone XL

Pipeline, recognizing the tremendous economic benefits for our community. Earlier we submitted the enclosed

letter to you, with more than 100 local leaders encouraging you to approve the proposed KXL route. Today we

write you again to say thank you for your decision.

Sincerely,

Michael Reeves President

 

Limon Office Lubbock Office P.O. Box 9 5401 N MLK Blvd., Unit 395 Limon, CO 80828 Lubbock, TX 79403 P: 303.586.1787 P: 806.775.2338 F: 719.775.9073 Fax: 806.775.3981

www.portstoplains.com

 

December 4, 2012 Pat Rice via Email: NDEQ.SEISpubliccomment@Nebraska.gov Project Manager NDEQ Pipeline Project Comments P.O. Box 98922 Lincoln, NE 68509-8922 Re: Keystone XL Pipeline Evaluation Dear Mr. Rice: We are writing to express our strong support for findings on the Keystone XL pipeline. We fully support this project because we believe it is in the best interest of our constituents, the state of Nebraska and the entire country. The specific findings in the draft report that we agree with include:

The Nebraska Reroute avoids the region that was identified as the Sand Hills by NDEQ, which is based on extensive research conducted by various state and federal agencies several years ago.

Keystone provided some route alternatives in the Supplemental Environmental Report which reduces the amount of fragile soils that are crossed in the northern portion of Nebraska.

The revised route also establishes greater distances from the sources of drinking water in the communities of Clarks and Western.

The report details environmental, economic, social and other impacts along the Nebraska Reroute.

Numerous construction and operational mitigation measures would be incorporated to protect groundwater and surface water.

Keystone would pay for an independent public employee to act as a liaison to facilitate the exchange of information between Keystone and landowners, local communities, and residents.

Keystone would provide baseline water well testing for domestic and livestock water wells within 300 feet of the center line of the route.

Keystone would adhere to 57 special pipeline safety conditions that had been previously agreed upon with the U.S. Department of Transportation, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.

Keystone would be responsible for developing an Emergency Response Plan for a product release associated with the operation of the Keystone XL Pipeline and ancillary facilities.

Support for Keystone XL Pipeline – Nebraska Keystone XL Pipeline Review December 4, 2012 Page 2

 

Keystone has identified several variations of crude oil that would be transported at various times through the pipeline from Alberta, Canada and from the Bakken Formation in Montana and North Dakota. The report contains the general characteristics of the crude oil, which are similar to other crude oils from around the world. In the event of a spill, the appropriate authorities would have immediate access to the product’s Material Safety Data Sheet.

In addition to complying with all relevant state and federal cleanup requirements, Keystone will provide evidence that it is carrying $200 million in third party liability insurance to cover cleanup costs for incidents in Nebraska.

Our communities are members of the Ports-to-Plains Alliance, a grassroots coalition of cities, counties, businesses, economic development organizations and chambers of commerce from a ten-state, 2,300 mile long transportation and economic development corridor that stretch from Texas to Alberta, Canada, including Nebraska. Keystone XL will provide significant economic benefits for our region. The pipeline is expected to create approximately 20,000 manufacturing and construction jobs in the United States. It could also generate more than $5.2 billion in tax revenue to the Keystone XL corridor states. At a time when state and local governments across the country are struggling to balance their budgets, these employment and revenue benefits are critical to our region. Specific benefits for Nebraska include:

More than $465 million in new spending for the Nebraska economy More than 7,500 person years of employment Increased personal income by $314 million Additional state and local tax revenues of more than $11 million $390 million in increased Gross State Product

The pipeline is also critical to our country’s efforts to reduce our dependence on Middle East and Venezuelan oil, by increasing our access to supplies from Canada, our neighbor and loyal ally, as well as domestic supplies from the Bakken Formation of Montana and North Dakota. Relying upon regimes that are in many cases unstable and unfriendly to the United States is simply bad energy and national security policy. We have seen the shocks to our economy from oil spikes caused by turmoil in these regions. It is much preferable to develop stable, secure domestic and Canadian sources. By providing refineries along the Texas Gulf Coast with more than 700,000 barrels of oil each day from domestic and Canadian resources, this pipeline will dramatically reduce our reliance on oil from unreliable and often unfriendly sources. As leaders from the region that the entire Keystone XL pipeline will traverse, we applaud the State of Nebraska and the Division of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) thoroughness during this review process. We also have confidence that TransCanada will be a good steward of the land and that Keystone XL will be constructed using industry best practices and will meet or exceed all existing pipeline regulatory standards. The Keystone XL pipeline is clearly in the nation’s interest and will be a valuable tool in strengthening our national security and energy security. Sincerely,

Ed Mayo Mayor City of Gering Gering, NE 69341  

  Sandy McCarthy County Commissioner Box Butte County Alliance, NE 69301  

Deb Cottier Director Nebraska Northwest Development Corp Chadron, NE 69337  

  Lane Danielzuk Chairman Heartland Expressway Association Gering, NE 69341  

Tim Garwood Board Member Heartland Expressway Association Alliance, NE 69301  

  Chelsie Herian Executive Director Box Butte Development Corporation Alliance, NE 69301  

Travis Hiner Board Member Heartland Expressway Association Scottsbluff, NE 69361  

  Marlin Johnson Communications Director Heartland Expressway Association Scottsbluff, NE 69361  

Chuck Karpf Executive Director Panhandle Area Development District Gering, NE  69341  

  Steve Burgess Ports‐to‐Plains Board / County Commissioner Lincoln County Limon, CO 80828  

Julie Coonts Mayor Town of Limon Limon, CO 80828  

  Beverly  Haggard Ports‐to‐Plains Board / City Council City of Lamar Lamar , CO 81052  

Roger J.  Stagner Mayor City of Lamar Lamar , CO 81052  

  Patricia Vice Mayor / Executive Director Town of Genoa / Lincoln County Economic Development Genoa, CO 80818  

Bill Nyby County Commissioner Sheridan County Plentywood, MT 59254  

  Brad Bekkedahl City Commissioner City of Willison Williston, ND 58801  

Lynn Brackel County Commissioner Bowman County Bowman, ND 58623  

  Douglas W. Ellison Mayor City of Medora Medora, ND 58645  

Brent Sanford Mayor Watford City Watford City, ND 58854  

  Coby Beckner City Commissioner Town of Clayton Clayton, NM 88415  

Justin Bennett County Commissioner Chairman Union County  Clayton, NM 88415  

  Christopher Candelario Mayor City of Raton Raton , NM 87740  

Jack Chosvig Mayor Town of Clayton Clayton, NM 88415  

  Walter Hall County Commissioner Union County Clayton, NM 88415  

Van Robertson County Commissioner Union County Clayton, NM 88415  

  Ronald D. Carey Mayor City of Boise City Boise City, OK 73933  

Paul Alexander City Councilman City of San Angelo San Angelo, TX 76904  

  John Baker Mayor City of Tahoka Tahoka, TX 79373  

Mark J. Barr County Judge Howard County Big Spring, TX 70720  

  Mike Brown County Judge Tom Green County San Angelo, TX 76903  

Terri Beth Carter County Judge Sherman County Stratford, TX 79084  

  Eugene Carter Mayor City of Hale Center Hale Center, TX 79041  

Tommy Duncan Mayor City of Big Spring Big Spring, TX 70720  

  Wendell  Dunlap Mayor City of Plainview Plainview, TX 79072  

Charlotte Farmer City Councilmember City of San Angelo San Angelo, TX 76903  

  Carla Garner County Judge Sutton County Sonora, TX 76950  

Paul Harpole Mayor City of Amarillo Amarillo, TX 79101  

  Tom Head County Judge Lubbock County Lubbock, TX 79401  

Kendall Hirschfeld City Council City of San Angelo San Angelo, TX 76903  

  Ross W. James Mayor City of Tulia Tulia, TX 79088  

Dwain Morrison City Councilman City of San Angelo San Angelo, TX 76904  

  Alvin New Mayor City of San Angelo San Angelo, TX 76904  

Dave Nix Mayor City of Lamesa Lamesa, TX 79331  

  Milton Pax County Commissioner Moore County Dumas, TX 79029  

Rowdy Rhoades County Judge Moore County Dumas, TX 79029  

  Glen Robertson Mayor City of Lubbock Lubbock, TX 79457  

Pat Sims Mayor City of Dumas Dumas, TX 79029  

  Darrell Stephens Mayor City of Abernathy Abernathy, TX 79311  

Gilberto Cisneros President/CEO Chamber of the Americas Denver, CO 80215  

  Tom Clark Executive Director Metro Denver EDC Denver, CO 80202  

Greg Fulton President Colorado Motor Carriers Association Denver, CO 80216  

  Preston Gibson Chairman Economic Development Council of Colorado Denver, CO 80236  

Linda Hawthorne Board Member Lincoln County Economic Development Limon, CO 80828  

  Joe  Kiely Vice President of Operations Ports‐to‐Plains Alliance Limon, CO 80828  

Lisa Nolder Executive Director Prowers County Development Inc. Lamar , CO 81052  

  Stephanie Salazar President & CEO Broomfield Economic Development Corp. Broomfield, CO 80021  

Dave Stone Town Manager Town of Limon Limon, CO 80828  

  Jack Taylor Executive Director S.P.I.R.I.T. Liberal, KS 67905  

Bob Sivertsen President Highway 2 Association Havre, MT 59501  

  Ashley Alderson Executive Director Bowman County Development Corporation Bowman, ND 58623  

Gaylon Baker Executive Director Stark Development Corporation Dickinson, ND 58601  

  Shirley Brentrup Rural Development Consultant SJB Consulting Dickinson, ND 58601  

Ken Callahan Energy Services Manager Montana Dakota Utilities Williston, ND 58801  

  Melana Howe CEO Howe Enterprises Hettinger, ND 58639  

Beth Innis Auditor Williams County Williston, ND 58802  

  Terry L. Johnson President Belfield Area Chamber of Commerce Belfield, ND 58622  

John Phillips President Economic Development of North Dakota Beulah, ND 58523  

  Steve Stenehjem CEO First Internationa Bank & Trust Watford City, ND 58854  

Linda Svihovec Auditor McKenzie County Watford City, ND 58854  

  Terri Thiel Executive Director Dickinson Convention & Visitors Bureau Dickinson, ND 58601  

Shawn Wenko Assistant Director Williston Economic Development Williston, ND 58801  

  Bob Donnell Executive Director Roswell‐Chaves County EDC Roswell, NM 88202  

Pete Kampfer City Manager City of Raton Raton, NM 87740  

  Penny Peryatel Ports‐to‐Plains Board Member / President Northern New Mexico Gas Raton, NM 87740  

Blaise Emerson Executive Director Black Hills Local Council of Local Governments Rapid City, SD 57701  

  Sandra Adams President Lamesa Chamber of Commerce Lamesa, TX 79331  

Dora Alcala Former Mayor  City of Del Rio Del Rio, TX 78840  

  Christine Allen Director of Foreign Trade Zone Lubbock Economic Development Alliance Lubbock, TX 79401  

Paul Armes President Wayland Baptist University Plainview, TX 79072  

  John Bertsch Chairman Ports‐to‐Plains Alliance Plainview, TX 79403  

Tonya  Brown President Sonora EDC Sonora, TX 76950  

  Kevin Carter Executive Director Plainview Hale County Industrial Foundation Plainview, TX 79072  

Sam Cartwright President/CEO Moore County Chamber of Commerce Dumas, TX 79029  

  Sid Cauthorn Ports‐to‐Plains Board Member / President/CEO The Bank & Trust Del Rio, TX 78841  

Chris Cornell Business Development Reece Albert, Inc. San Angelo, TX 76903  

  Michael Cypert City Manager City of Abernathy Abernathy, TX 79311  

Richard  David President/CEO Amarillo EDC Amarillo, TX 79101  

  Donna Davis Associate Professor of Marketing Rawls College of Business ‐ Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX 79409  

 Del Rio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Del Rio, TX 78840  

  Mike Duran Executive Director Lamesa EDC Lamesa, TX 79331  

John Friess Ports‐to‐Plains Board Member Ports‐to‐Plains Alliance Sonora, TX 76950  

  Elizabeth Grindstaff Manager of Marketing & Sales Texas‐Pacifico Railroad San Angelo, TX 76904  

David Hettler CPA Ehler & Hettler Lubbock, TX 79423  

  Duffy  Hinkle Vice President of Membership & Marketing Ports‐to‐Plains Alliance Lubbock, TX 79403  

Joshua Jones City Manager City of Hale Center Hale Center, TX 79041  

  Brian Kimberly Director of Business Development Reese Technology Center Lubbock, TX 79413  

John King Vice President for University Relations Lubbock Christian University Lubbock, TX 79407  

  Shawn  Kirkpatrick Executive Director Levelland EDC Levelland, TX 79336  

Frank H. Larson President Del Rio Area Development Del Rio, TX 78842  

  Bill Lavers Executive Director Development Corporation of Snyder Snyder, TX 79549  

Shawn Lewis Director of Community & Economic Development City of San Angelo San Angelo, TX 76903  

  Mike McBain President Laredo Cotton Transfer, Inc. Laredo, TX 78040  

Eddie McBride President Lubbock Chamber of Commerce Lubbock, TX 79401  

  Todd McKee Ports‐to‐Plains Board Treasurer / President & Chief Lending Officer Peoples Bank Lubbock, TX 79424  

Bill Miller Executive Director Reese Technology Center Lubbock, TX 79413  

  Gary Molberg President/CEO Amarillo Chamber of Commerce Amarillo, TX 79101  

Linda Morris  Executive Director Plainview Chamber of Commerce Plainview, TX 79072  

  Kristen Moudy Business Development Specialist Canadian‐Hemphill County EDC Canadian, TX 79014  

Kristine Olsen President Dalhart Area Chamber of Commerce Dalhart, TX 79022  

  John Osborne President Lubbock Economic Development Alliance Lubbock, TX 79401  

Dan Redd CEO Borger Economic Development Corp. Borger, TX 79008  

  Michael Reeves President Ports‐to‐Plains Alliance Lubbock, TX 79403  

Gaynelle Riffe Ports‐to‐Plains Board Member / Co‐Owner Stratford Grain Company Stratford, TX 79084  

  Mike Running Executive Director Dumas EDC Dumas, TX 79029  

Sonia Shannon Assistance Secretary of the Corporation Central 57 Importers & Exporters Eagle Pass, TX 78852  

  Eric Turner Main Street/CVB Coordinator Plainview Convention & Visitors Bureau Plainview, TX 79072  

Debbye Valverde Executive Director Big Spring Area Chamber of Commerce Dumas, TX 79720  

  Fred Vera City Manager City of Lamesa Lamesa, TX 79331  

Jerry Webster City Administrator City of Tahoka Tahoka, TX 79373  

  Terry Wegman Executive Director Big Spring EDC Big Spring, TX 79720  

Pamela Welch Executive Director Midland Development Corporation Midland, TX 79701  

  Roger Cable Director of Business Development Oftedal Construction, Inc Casper, WY 82604  

Darcy Geigle Reeve Cypress County Dunmore, AB   T1B 0K3  

  Len Mitzel Former Member of Legislative Assembly for Alberta  Eastern Alberta Trade Corridor Etzikom, AB   T0K 0W0  

Lutz Perschon CAO Cypress County Dunmore, AB   T1B 0K3