Today the State Department informed TransCanada Corp. that the agency review of the Keystone XL pipeline and its associated permits will continue in spite of the corporation’s request that the process be paused.
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CEO Russ Girling said the company was still on track to meet its 2020 target for the completion of Energy East, but also admitted that the price tag for the project could rise given the incoming Liberal government’s promise to overhaul the process for approving major energy projects, which could include more stringent standards. “We’re not required to pause it based on an applicant’s request”.
TransCanada had applied with the Nebraska Public Service Commission in early October for sign-off on the route. State first received the permit application in 2008.
“We applaud the State Department for telling TransCanada they do not get to pause the process that so many farmers’ and ranchers’ livelihoods have waited on for over six years”, said Jane Kleeb, Bold Nebraska director. “It ultimately saves time, reduces conflict with those who oppose the project and sets clear rules for approval of the route”.
The 4,600-kilometre pipeline meant to transport 1.1 million barrels of crude per day from Alberta and Saskatchewan to East Coast refineries has been a lightning rod for criticism in Quebec.
“We couldn’t agree more with the State Department’s decision”, Sittenfeld said.
Environmental groups praised Wednesday’s decision.
Even if Obama kills Keystone, Hoeven believes the project will be approved quickly on its merits if a Republican takes over the White House in 2017. That has allowed oil imports from Canada to rise.
Regardless of what Obama does, Trudeau will likely be forced to offer greater clarity on his environmental policies at the upcoming climate conference and the various other worldwide meetings he’s scheduled to attend.
The State Department must issue a recommendation because the project crosses the border with Canada.
A halt in the review would perhaps have delayed a decision on building the pipeline until after the U.S. presidential election in November 2016.
That report was released during the tenure of Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State.
TransCanada says it will submit its modified plans for the Energy East pipeline to the National Energy Board.
The pipeline has generally received a more sympathetic response from Republican Party candidates, however.
Like “ANWR” and “Solyndra” before it, the Keystone XL pipeline has entered the lexicon of contemporary environmental politics.
Henn said activists in Ottawa will begin four days of sit-ins at new Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office to demand an end to development of his country’s tar sands. “And we are going to lead”.
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The comments came a day after TransCanada asked the USA government to delay its decision on the controversial Keystone project, a move seen pre-empting a possible rejection by US President Barack Obama.
