Hearings into the recertification of the Keystone XL pipeline project began Monday in Pierre before the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission.
Those interested in the proceedings made opening statements, including one by Thomasina Real Bird, general counsel for the Yankton Sioux Tribe.
She says the PUC is not following state law in the hearings……….

Real Bird says they believe the project is dangerous to her tribe and their land………

Real Bird says the project will not provide any energy benefits to the state………

The hearings are scheduled to last into next week. Trans Canada has to apply for recertification because construction did not begin within four years of the original permit. The pipeline could carry Canadian crude oil across western South Dakota on its way to the gulf coast.