The bitterly controversial Keystone XL pipeline bill has just come one step closer to becoming law. The Republican-led US Senate passed an $8 billion bill an hour ago (Thursday afternoon, January 29) to approve construction of the Keystone XL oil pipeline.
As you may know, CleanTechnica has been covering this story of energy, environment, and politics closely all along. Link here and scroll subsequent entries to explore our previous reports and commentary.
The newly passed Keystone XL bill approves TransCanada Corporation’s project to carry 800,000 barrels per day of heavy Canadian tar sands oil to Nebraska. Only eight percent of its capacity will be used to transport American oil from the Bakken field in the US. From there, the bitumen mixture will be sent to Gulf Coast refineries and ports through the existing US pipeline network.
The vote was 62 to 36, with nine Democrats crossing over to vote with the Republican bloc. The House already passed its own pipeline bill. The chambers of Congress, both Republican, will now work on these and send a final bill to President Barack Obama.
The State Department has been reviewing the proposed pipeline legislation for more than six years. It is expected to finish its second review in a matter of weeks. The President will take into account the State Department’s recommendations before deciding on the pipeline.
This morning, the White House reaffirmed that President Barack Obama would veto the measure.
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