Congress hears from Neb. rancher about pipeline

Nebraska rancher Randy Thompson said Friday that when TransCanada Inc. was first trying to get his land for its Keystone XL oil pipeline, he would have been satisfied with a rerouting of the controversial project. Since then, though, he has come to view it as an "ill-conceived idea" that would endanger residents and the environment wherever it's placed, he said. Thompson was speaking to reporters before his scheduled testimony to a House subcommittee. The Nebraskan said he would be testifying as someone who would have to live next to this "massive pipeline." Friday's session is a continuation of a contentious hearing last week on legislation from Rep. Lee Terry, R-Neb., that would transfer authority over the pipeline to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and require that agency to issue a permit for the project...more