The Keystone XL project is not popular in Nebraska. Transcanada basically drew a straight line from Canada to Texas to build their new oil pipeline. Wikipedia sums up the complaint about it's path quite well

"Environmental groups and some politicians have raised a number of concerns about the Keystone XL extension. One concern is that the pipeline could pollute air and water supplies and harm migratory birds and other wildlife.[16] It will cross the Sandhills in Nebraska, the large wetland ecosystem, and the Ogallala Aquifer, one of the largest reserves of fresh water in the world.[30] The Ogallala Aquifer spans eight states, provides drinking water for two million people, and supports $20 billion in agriculture.[31] Critics worry that a major leak could ruin drinking water and devastate the mid-western U.S. economy.[32] Portions of the pipeline will also cross an active seismic zone that had a 4.3 magnitude earthquake as recently as 2002.[31] Opponents claim that TransCanada applied to the U.S. government to use thinner steel and pump at higher pressures than normal.[32]"

This link to Wikipedia shows where to find the Ogallala Aquifer http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ogallala_Aquifer


(It should be noted that there is already an oil pipeline running through Nebraska but it doesn't go through the Sand Hills)