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leg, which will extend from Alberta, Canada, to Nebraska's southeast corner. The southern leg's problems are "a separate matter," he said in an email.
• "TransCanada had identified and addressed these issues prior to any product being introduced into the pipeline and reported them voluntarily" to the government, Sheremata said. "The fact that the anomalies on the exterior of the pipe were discovered in the first place is a direct result of the 57 special safety conditions we agreed to implement on this project and Keystone XL, many of which are not required by regulation but are standard practice on all TransCanada pipeline construction projects."
• But Book said the timing "would seem to suggest (the pipeline safety agency) was uncomfortable with the construction of Keystone south and that was part of their reasoning" for imposing additional conditions on the northern leg.
• Damon Hill, a spokesman for the pipeline safety agency, said the additional conditions were the result of "observations in the field during construction projects from several pipeline operators over the past few years," as well as the agency's general knowledge and experience.
• Keystone is intended to transport oil from Canadian tar sands to oil refineries on the Gulf Coast. Supporters say the pipeline will create thousands of jobs and aid energy independence. Environmentalists warn of possible spills and say tar sands oil is especially "dirty" and will contribute to global warming.
• The project has become a major flashpoint alongside the larger debate over carbon emissions, drilling policies and tax breaks for energy companies.
• The administration said in April it was putting off its decision on whether to approve the pipeline indefinitely. A decision now isn't expected until after the November elections.
•

• PIERRE, S.D. (AP) -- Lowell Amiotte (AY'-mee-awt) will be the next director of the South Dakota Office of Indian Education.
• Amiotte is an Oglala Lakota tribal member born on the Pine Ridge reservation.
• State Education Secretary Melody Schopp announced the appointment at a recent State-Tribal Relations Committee meeting.
• Schopp says the position is a huge undertaking and it was tough to find an experienced person willing to do the job. The last director resigned in 2012. Keith Moore has filled in as interim director.
• Amiotte has experience as a middle school teacher and spent years at Black Hills State University and South Dakota State University. He was the president of

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