Keystone XL Pipeline Gets Green Light From U.S. State Dept.
On Aug. 26, the U.S. State Dept. issued the final environmental impact statement on TransCanada’s 1,700-mile Keystone XL pipeline, setting the final stage for the hotly contested battle over the line that would move Canadian tar-sands oil from Alberta to the Gulf of Mexico for refining.
The final EIS repeats the findings of previous environmental assessments—the construction and operation of the $7-billion pipeline would have “limited adverse environmental impacts.” During the 90-day comment period on the final EIS, the department will hold 13 public meetings. The administration had promised to decide by the end of the year on whether to issue a presidential permit for the line, a necessary step for the cross-border project.