Canadian energy infrastructure group TransCanada has asked the US State Department to pause its review of the Presidential Permit application for the Keystone XL pipeline. The company has applied to the Nebraska Public Service Commission for approval of its preferred route in the state; the State Department's review had been suspended in 2014, when the the status of the Nebraska pipeline route was challenged. TransCanada now prefers to delay the approval process rather than risking a presidential veto.
The Keystone XL Pipeline is a proposed 1,897 km crude oil pipeline beginning in Hardisty, Alberta (Canada), and extending south to Steele City, Nebraska (United States). It would enable to transport up to 830,000 bbl/d of crude oil to the Gulf Coast and Midwest refineries. The project was initially proposed in 2008 but aroused a fierce opposition from environmentalist groups. Total investment is estimated at US$8bn.
Keystone XL is a highly controversial project, which was approved by the US Senate in January 2015 and by the House of Representatives in mid-February 2015 but the law approving vetoed by President Obama in February 2015. This might leave the project in limbo for an indefinite period.