Journal Star - Dave Heineman, Mike Meister Spar Over Keystone XL Pipeline

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By Don Walton

Gov. Dave Heineman "needs to be screaming bloody murder" about the routing of an oil pipeline through the Sandhills and across the Ogallala Aquifer, Mike Meister said Thursday.

It's unthinkable that "we would even run the risk of polluting the aquifer when water is our most precious resource," the Democratic gubernatorial challenger said.

The pipeline should be "moved to a more safe route," Meister said.

Responding to Meister's challenge, Heineman said his opponent is "either misinformed or playing political games."

TransCanada's Keystone XL petroleum pipeline is a federal regulatory issue, not part of the state's regulatory process, the governor said.

"Mr. Meister should be in contact with Sen. (Ben) Nelson, asking him to call his favorite president, Barack Obama, to intervene," Heineman said.

"Democrats are in charge in Washington."

If there was a Republican president, Heineman said, he'd call Sen. Mike Johanns, Nebraska's Republican senator, and ask for "a thorough review to make sure all environmental concerns are addressed."

In fact, Heineman said, Johanns already has been "trying to address this in an appropriate way."

Nelson's spokesman, Jake Thompson, said the governor "doesn't need any help in lobbying Washington.

"He's proven very effective in getting federal funds to bail out his state budget mess," Thompson said.

Asked about his own personal views, Heineman said, "I have some concerns about the overall project."

The U.S. State Department exercises primary jurisdiction over the domestic portion of the international pipeline.

On a separate topic, Meister said Nebraska should take steps now to increase its tourism revenue.

Using the Ohio model of public/private partnerships, he said, Nebraska should create a Sandhills Park complex similar to Mahoney Park between Lincoln and Omaha.

Meister proposed it be located north of Dunning between Brewster and Halsey.

That location would also augument rafting along the Dismal and Loup Rivers and spur tourism at the Nebraska National Forest at Halsey, he said.

"I believe we can make Nebraska a premier tourist destination," Meister said.

"The more we invest in promoting Nebraska, the more return we see."

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