FILE - In this March 11, 2013 photo, a sign reading "Stop the Transcanada Pipeline" stands in a field near Bradshaw, Neb., along the Keystone XL pipeline route through the state. A Nebraska district court struck down a law that allowed the Keystone XL oil pipeline to proceed through the state, Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2014. The law could have been used to force landowners to allow the pipeline on their property. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik, File)
February 19, 2014 - 1:03 PM
LINCOLN, Neb. - A judge has struck down a Nebraska law that allowed the Keystone XL oil pipeline to proceed through the state.
Lancaster County Judge Stephanie Stacy issued a ruling Wednesday that invalidated Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman's approval of the route. Stacy says the decision should have been made by the Nebraska Public Service Commission, which regulates pipelines and other utilities.
The ruling could cause more delays in finishing the pipeline, which would carry oil from Canada to Texas refineries.
But it's a win for Nebraska-based pipeline opponents. They've argued that Heineman exceeded his authority when he approved the route in January 2013.
News from © The Associated Press, 2014