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Lincoln, NE - In a letter to President Barack Obama, Governor Dave Heineman has approved the new route for the Keystone XL pipeline through Nebraska.

The decision follows a recent review by the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality, which recommended approval for the pipeline. The pipeline will carry oil from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico.

In a statement, TransCanada CEO Russ Girling said, "The NDEQ process has clearly taken into account the input from Nebraskans and today's approval of the Nebraska re-route by Governor Heineman moves us one step closer to Americans receiving the benefits of Keystone XL; the enhanced security it will provide and the thousands of jobs it will create."

This is the second route proposed by TransCanada, the first route was rejected to protect the Ogallala aquifer. "

The project has faced opposition from landowners and environmental groups who argue it would contaminate the aquifer.  Bold Nebraska leader Jane Kleeb calls the Governor's decision "one of the biggest flip-flops in Nebraska political history."  Kleeb says President Obama is now "Nebraska's only hope as our governor and legislature have failed us."

Senators Deb Fischer and Mike Johanns and Congressman Lee Terry, all Republicans, supported Governor Heineman's decision.

Bold Nebraska plans a protest vigil outside the Governor's mansion in Lincoln on January 29th.