Opinion ID: 2768591
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Legislature Passes L.B. 4 for

Text: TransCanada’s Pipeline In the same special session, the Legislature enacted separate legislation—L.B. 4—for TransCanada’s pipeline.17 L.B. 4 did not specifically refer to TransCanada or its previously submitted application under the exemption from MOPSA (for pending applications). But because L.B. 4 did not contain an exemption, it was the only bill that applied to TransCanada’s proposed pipeline by default. And unlike MOPSA, L.B. 4 did not require a pipeline carrier to obtain the PSC’s approval before exercising eminent domain power under § 57-1101. Instead, § 3 of L.B. 4 authorized the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to collaborate with any federal agency that was conducting a supplemental environmental impact review for Nebraska under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.18 The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 requires federal agencies to determine the environmental impact of significant federal actions. When making this determination, a federal agency must request the comments of appropriate state and local agencies.19 In collaborating with federal 16 See id., § 3(3). 17 See 2012 Neb. Laws, L.B. 4, 1st Spec. Sess. 18 See id., § 3(1). See, also, Pub. L. 91-190, 83 Stat. 852 (Jan. 1, 1970) (codified at 42 U.S.C. §§ 4321 to 4335 and 4341 to 4347 (2012)). 19 See, 42 U.S.C. § 4332(2)(C); 40 C.F.R. § 1503.1(a)(2) (2013). Nebraska Advance Sheets 806 289 NEBRASKA REPORTS agencies to produce an environmental impact statement for Nebraska, L.B. 4 authorizes the DEQ to hire outside vendors.20 But § 3(2) stated that to ensure an objective report and avoid the appearance of any conflicts of interest, no costs would be assessed to the applicant.21 Instead, the Legislature appropriated $2 million from the State’s general fund to a DEQ cash fund to carry out the requirements of L.B. 4.22 After the DEQ prepares the supplemental statement, L.B. 4 requires it to submit its evaluation to the Governor, who then has 30 days to inform the responsible federal agency whether he or she approves the route.23 Unlike MOPSA, L.B. 4 does not provide an appeal procedure. Like MOPSA, the Legislature provided for an emergency clause for L.B. 4 and it became effective on November 23, 2011, the same date that MOPSA became effective.24 On January 18, 2012, the President of the United States denied TransCanada’s application. Because TransCanada no longer had an active application pending with the U.S. Department of State, it was subject to the PSC regulatory procedures under MOPSA if it reapplied for a presidential permit or route through Nebraska.