Nebraska Revised Statutes Chapter 57. Minerals, Oil, and Gas § 57-1503. Evaluation of route; supplemental environmental impact statement; department; powers and duties; pipeline carrier; reimburse cost; submit to Governor; duty; denial; notice to pipeline carrier; documents or records; not withheld from public

(2) The department may contract with outside vendors in the process of preparation of a supplemental environmental impact statement or an evaluation conducted under subdivision (1)(a) of this section. The department shall make every reasonable effort to ensure that each vendor has no conflict of interest or relationship to any pipeline carrier that applies for an oil pipeline permit.

(3) In order for the process to be efficient and expeditious, the department's contracts with vendors pursuant to this section for a supplemental environmental impact statement or an evaluation conducted under subdivision (1)(a) of this section shall not be subject to the Nebraska Consultants' Competitive Negotiation Act, the State Procurement Act, or sections 73-301 to 73-306.

(4) After the supplemental environmental impact statement or the evaluation conducted under subdivision (1)(a) of this section is prepared, the department shall submit it to the Governor. Within thirty days after receipt of the supplemental environmental impact statement or the evaluation conducted under subdivision (1)(a) of this section from the department, the Governor shall indicate, in writing, to the federal agency or agencies involved in the review or any other appropriate federal agency or body as to whether he or she approves any of the routes reviewed in the supplemental environmental impact statement or the evaluation conducted under subdivision (1)(a) of this section. If the Governor does not approve any of the reviewed routes, he or she shall notify the pipeline carrier that in order to obtain approval of a route in Nebraska the pipeline carrier is required to file an application with the Public Service Commission pursuant to the Major Oil Pipeline Siting Act.

(5) The department shall not withhold any documents or records relating to an oil pipeline from the public unless the documents or records are of the type that can be withheld under section 84-712.05 or unless federal law provides otherwise.