A group of close to 100 opponents and proponents of the Keystone XL oil pipeline testified this week at a Public Service Commission hearing in O’Neil, Nebraska. One of those testifying was Art Tanderup who farms near Neligh in the path of the proposed project. He told Commissioners how porous the soil is and the potential damage that could happen from a chemical spill. Tanderup brought a jar filled with the soil from his farm demonstrating that.

He also told the PSC that oil is not currently being shipped by train and the contention that it’s transported by either train or pipeline doesn’t hold up.

Tanderup says the Commission indicated there might be another public hearing held before the evidentiary hearing in August. He says the PSC has been good about taking as much public testimony as possible before they make their decision on approving or denying a route for Keystone XL.

Proponents of the project pointed to Governor Rickett’s support for it as well as a majority of the Unicameral and the State’s Congressional delegation.