Speedier route for (Keystone XL) pipeline approval

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Omaha World Herald

By Joseph Morton

WASHINGTON — Legislation to speed approval of the Keystone XL pipeline will be included in a larger end-of-year package extending a payroll tax cut and unemployment benefits, Rep. Lee Terry, R-Neb., said Friday.

Such a move could greatly improve the chances of the pipeline bill's approval in the Senate. That's because while many Senate Democrats won't support hurrying the administration to approve the pipeline, they have made a priority of extending the payroll tax cut and the benefits for the country's millions of unemployed.

Terry spoke to reporters Friday just before a hearing on his Keystone XL legislation, which would take the pipeline permit decision out of the hands of the State Department, which is now in charge because the pipeline crosses an international border.

Instead, the bill would give the power to issue the permit to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The bill also would require FERC to issue the permit within 30 days of the completion of the Nebraska process.

Read more: http://www.omaha.com/article/20111202/NEWS01/712039989#speedier-route-for-pipeline-approval