East Texas Judge Lifts Order on TransCanada Pipeline

A judge is allowing TransCanada to resume work on an oil pipeline being built on private property in East Texas before a hearing next week.

Texas landowner Michael Bishop has filed suit against TransCanada in Nacogdoches County, claiming the company lied to Texans when it said it would use its Keystone XL pipeline to transport crude oil.

The pipeline will carry tar sands oil, which TransCanada says is a form of crude but Bishop says is not. He also says he originally settled with the company under duress.

Chris Wilson, of Stop Tarsands Oil Pipelines, said Thursday that County Court at Law Judge Jack Sinz lifted a restraining order in advance of a Wednesday hearing.

TransCanada spokesman Shawn Howard says no construction is likely to start before the hearing.

Associated Press