U.S. to seek new Keystone pipeline route, delaying approval

The Obama administration will explore a new route for a Canada-to-Texas oil pipeline, delaying final approval beyond the 2012 U.S. election.

By

Arshad Mohammed and Timothy Gardner, Reuters

Thu, Nov 10 2011 at 2:14 PM

Related Topics:

Obama, Oil Sands, Oil & Gas

PIPELINE: Some of Obama's liberal supporters have strongly opposed the project and delaying a decision could allow Obama to avoid antagonizing environmentalists disillusioned with his progress on climate change. (Photo: ZUMA Press)

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Obama administration plans to announce on Thursday it will explore a new route for a Canada-to-Texas oil pipeline, delaying a final approval beyond the 2012 U.S. election, sources briefed on the matter said.

The decision would be a victory for environmentalists, many of whom oppose the pipeline, and a setback for TransCanada Corp, whose $7 billion Keystone XL project is seen as the most important North American oil pipeline plan for decades.

One source familiar with the matter said that studying a new route for the pipeline would likely take 12-18 months, putting a final decision after President Barack Obama's bid for re-election on November 6, 2012.

If the administration explores a new route, "it's a huge victory, and it would probably be the biggest environmental gift that President Barack Obama has given us," said Tony Iallonardo, a spokesman at the National Wildlife Federation.

Some of Obama's liberal supporters have strongly opposed the project and delaying a decision could allow Obama to avoid antagonizing environmentalists disillusioned with his progress on climate change. However, it could also open up a line of attack from Republicans who could argue that a delay will slow job growth.

(Reporting by Arshad Mohammed and Timothy Gardner; editing by Sandra Maler and Jackie Frank)