Kent Conrad: “I have some sympathy for the position I hear the Senator enunciating--that the issue of the pipeline ought not to be the…”

“I have some sympathy for the position I hear the Senator enunciating--that the issue of the pipeline ought not to be the thing that prevents us from moving forward. I personally think the pipeline is absolutely in the national interest. It will help us reduce our dependence on foreign energy--at least foreign sources that are hostile to our interests. The big question is--at least for this Senator--would the language permit a rerouting of the line within the State of Nebraska so that the question of the Ogallala aquifer would not be addressed? Is it the Senator's understanding that the language that has come to us from the House would permit Nebraska to reroute the line to avoid the aquifer?”