Dakota Rural Action (DRA) along with the Yankton Sioux and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribes, and Intertribal Council on Utility Policy filed a motion with the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to reconsider its certification (approval) of the Keystone XL Pipeline. On January 5, 2016, the PUC recertified the Keystone XL pipeline, despite the fact that President Obama had denied TransCanada a Presidential Permit for the pipeline in November 2015.
Following the PUC’s decision, activists and members of DRA began calling Keystone XL the “zombie pipeline” because, even though President Obama killed the pipeline by denying a permit, the pipeline has found ways to come back to life. DRA thinks that South Dakota should join the President in wholeheartedly denying the pipeline, rather than keeping the failed project alive.
Killing the Zombie Pipeline
DRA and allies hope the motion will force the PUC to reconsider and potentially rescind certification of the project. In a press release, DRA chair Don Kelley urged the PUC to “reverse its decision to grant a permit to the Keystone XL pipeline.”
DRA’s news release also pointed out the problems that South Dakota landowners are having with the first Keystone Pipeline. The Keystone I Pipeline goes through the eastern portion of the state. DRA cited the recent spill from the Keystone pipeline that leaked 16,000 gallons of oil, contaminating a farm field near Freeman, S.D. this past April.
In addition, TransCanada must replace sections of the Keystone I Pipeline in South Dakota, Nebraska, Illinois, Missouri, and Kansas because of substandard steel strength used in the pipeline.
Next Steps on Keystone XL
At this point, DRA is waiting for a judge to decide whether there will be a hearing regarding their motion. A decision is likely in the coming weeks. DRA hopes that these recent efforts will help kill the zombie pipeline for good.