Tuesday hearing on new Neb. pipeline route planned

The Keystone XL pipeline TransCanada wants to build to carry crude oil to Gulf Coast refineries has proven controversial, and environmentalists say the project could contaminate groundwater reserves.

But the project has strong support from labor unions that say the pipeline will create thousands of jobs and from the oil industry that says the pipeline will help satisfy oil demand.

So Nebraska environmental regulators should expect a large crowd at Tuesday evening's hearing in Albion.

Regulators issued a draft 600-page report on the pipeline's proposed route in October. Once regulators finish their review, Gov. Dave Heineman will decide whether to recommend the project.