Keystone XL Pipeline Has Enough Suppliers, Will Be Built: TransCanada

"The proposed tar sands pipeline, which has drawn protests for years, still faces hurdles, including securing access to farmland along a new route in Nebraska."

"TransCanada announced Thursday it has strong commercial support for the Keystone XL pipeline and will move forward with the long-contested tar sands oil project. But the pipeline's opponents say significant hurdles remain that continue to cast doubt on its prospects.

The Canadian pipeline company has secured commitments to ship approximately 500,000 barrels per day for 20 years on the Keystone XL pipeline from Hardisty, Alberta, to Steele City, Nebraska, enough for the project to move forward, company officials said.

The pipeline received approval in November from Nebraska, the final state to permit the project, but the Nebraska Public Service Commission signed off on an alternate route rather than TransCanada's chosen route, meaning the company will have to secure easements from a new set of land owners. The company said it expects to begin construction in 2019. It would probably take two summers of work to complete the job."

Phil McKenna reports for InsideClimate News January 18, 2018.