Notley says TransCanada ‘cautiously optimistic’ after Keystone XL decision

Alberta Premier Rachel Notley said TransCanada is not entirely surprised that the Nebraska panel chose an alternative route for the Keystone XL pipeline. TransCanada photo.

Nebraska Public Service Commission approved Keystone XL

Alberta Premier Rachel Notley said TransCanada Corp is “cautiously optimistic” about prospects for construction of the Keystone XL pipeline after Nebraska state officials gave the project the green light earlier this week.

The Nebraska Public Service Commission approved the $8 billion project, however, it granted permission to build the pipeline on an alternate route, not TransCanada’s preferred path.

The new route will add five miles of pipeline, an additional pumping station and related transmission lines.

During a conference call with the media, Premier Notley said “They are cautiously optimistic. The new route was not an entire surprise to them.”

Notley’s comments were the first indication of the company’s position on Monday’s announcement. So far, TransCanada has said it will evaluate the decision and will announce its intentions in December.

A spokesman for the pipeline company said TransCanada is aware of the premier’s comments and reiterated it will review the decision.

TransCanada has been pursuing the 1.179 mile project for nearly a decade.

The decision by the Nebraska Public Service Commission was supposed to be the final government hurdle the project had to pass, however, because of the modified route, it is unsure if the company will have to apply for any additional federal or state permits.

As well, TransCanada will have to face impacted landowners along the alternate route as well as vocal opponents to the project.

On Tuesday, some shareholders encouraged TransCanada to push ahead with the pipeline expansion.