Locally, the pipeline has generated vocal supporters, vocal opponents and even more people who keep their opinions to themselves. But considering that such famous vocals are rarely heard so close to home, politics just might fall to the wayside.

“Any time you have two legendary performers like that, there will be a lot of curiosity,” said Carrie Pitzer, president of the Neligh Chamber of Commerce.

The proposed pipeline would carry 830,000 barrels of mostly Canadian oil sands crude daily through Nebraska and on to refineries along the Gulf Coast. Because it would cross international borders, the project requires approval from President Barack Obama.

The president has said he is awaiting the Nebraska Supreme Court’s review of a lower court decision that struck down the state law used to route the pipeline. The high court will hear oral arguments in the case Sept. 5. Judges are not expected to release an opinion until late in the year.

Public opinion polls have consistently shown a majority of Americans support the project, which also has strong backing from the petroleum industry and some labor groups. Opponents say the pipeline represents a pollution threat to soil and water and will worsen climate change by speeding development of Canada’s vast oil sands region.