U.S. officials mull new route for Keystone XL pipeline

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U.S. officials mull new route for Keystone XL pipeline

The Associated Press Published Wednesday, November 9, 2011 1:38PM EST

This map shows the proposed Keystone XL pipeline route, which originates in Hardisty, Alta., then cuts diagonally across the southwest corner of Manitoba before entering the U.S. (TransCanada)

Text:

WASHINGTON - A U.S. official says the State Department is considering a plan that would reroute the proposed Keystone XL oil pipeline from Canada away from environmentally sensitive areas of Nebraska.

The action could delay a final decision on the project until after the 2012 election.

The official told The Associated Press today that rerouting the pipeline was one issue that came up during public meetings.

The official asked not to be identified because no decision has been made.

TransCanada is seeking to build the $7 billion pipeline to carry oil from Alberta to refineries in Texas.

A portion would pass through Nebraska's Sandhills region and the massive Ogallala aquifer, which supplies water to eight states.