The company behind the controversial Keystone XL pipeline from Canada to the U.S Gulf Coast has asked the U.S. State Department to pause its review of the project.
TransCanada said Monday a suspension would be appropriate while it works with Nebraska authorities for approval of its preferred route through the state. The move comes before the Obama administration was widely expected to reject it.
They think Obama is about to reject it so they want to see if GOP wins WH. Then they can reinstate application. https://t.co/qLQW2FsQH6— Ryan Lizza (@RyanLizza) November 3, 2015
For seven years, the fate of the 1,179-mile (1,900 kilometer) long pipeline has languished amid debates over climate change, the intensive process of extracting Alberta's oil and U.S. energy security.
The controversial project would send Canadian oil to ports in Texas. The transfer would start at the oil sands of Alberta and move southward through the Central U.S., ending in Texas, where the Canadian oil would then be exported to foreign markets. The project has become the subject of heated protests over the past few years, as climate activists have made it a litmus test for whether politicians support action on manmade global warming.
Critics also oppose the concept of tapping the Alberta oil sands, saying it requires huge amounts of energy and water, and increases greenhouse gas emissions.
Keystone Pipeline was a done deal. Now Transcanada has thrown in the towel. People power works! But Obama should officially say no. #kxl— Bill McKibben (@billmckibben) November 3, 2015