Threatened ‘Sandhills’ of Nebraska. Photo courtesy of USFWS

Following concerns about possible contamination of eastern Texas land, a Texas Court Judge last week issued a temporary restraining order and injunction against TransCanada, the oil company behind the construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline. Other suits in the legal hopper are based on improper land condemnation by TransCanada. In a related action, Susan Rice withdrew from consideration of Secretary of State, thereby removing a possible conflict of issue over her holding of stock in companies backing the Keystone XL. Finally, a Brigadier General blasts the Keystone XL and its diversion of public will away from development of renewable energy sources.