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In November 2015, the State Department under President Barack Obama (D) denied TransCanada a permit to approve the pipeline.[1]

On March 24, 2017, the U.S. State Department under President Donald Trump (R) issued a presidential permit approving the Keystone XL pipeline. Trump signed an executive order in January to expedite final approval of the pipeline within 60 days. In the executive order, Trump also invited TransCanada, the pipeline's owner, to resubmit its application for a permit. On January 26, 2017, TransCanada resubmitted its application for approval.[2][3][4][5][6][7]

In November 2017, the Nebraska Public Service Commission voted 3-2 to approve construction of a portion of the Keystone XL pipeline in Nebraska, though the commission rejected TransCanada's preferred route for the pipeline.

On November 9, 2018, U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris blocked the permit issued by the Trump administration. Morris ruled that a supplemental environmental review had to be completed before the construction could proceed.[8]

On January 20, 2021, President Joe Biden (D) signed an executive order which revoked the permit for the Keystone XL Pipeline.[9]

Background

See also: Keystone XL Pipeline

After a seven-year battle between Democrats, who sided with environmental activists, and Republicans, who sided with the oil industry, President Barack Obama (D) rejected TransCanada's application to build the Keystone XL Pipeline on November 6, 2015. Obama explained his decision, saying, "The State Department has decided that the Keystone XL Pipeline would not serve the national interest of the United States. I agree with that decision. For years, the Keystone pipeline has occupied what I, frankly, consider an overinflated role in our political discourse. It became a symbol too often used as a campaign cudgel by both parties, rather than a serious policy matter. All of this obscured the fact that this pipeline would neither be a silver bullet for the economy, as was promised by some, nor the express lane to climate disaster proclaimed by others."[10]

The announcement came just days after TransCanada asked the U.S. State Department to suspend its review of the pipeline project. "The pipeline company said such a suspension would be appropriate while it works with Nebraska authorities for approval of its preferred route through the state that is facing legal challenges in state courts," according to CBS News.[11]

Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) said Obama's decision to reject the pipeline was not surprising but added that it was "sickening." He said, "By rejecting this pipeline, the president is rejecting tens of thousands of good-paying jobs. He is rejecting our largest trading partner and energy supplier. He is rejecting the will of the American people and a bipartisan majority of the Congress. If the president wants to spend the rest of his time in office catering to special interests, that's his choice to make. But it's just wrong. In the House, we are going to pursue a bold agenda of growth and opportunity for all."[12]

Earlier in the year, Obama quietly vetoed a bill approving the construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline in a short statement issued February 24, 2015. He wrote, "Through this bill, the United States Congress attempts to circumvent longstanding and proven processes for determining whether or not building and operating a cross-border pipeline serves the national interest."[13] The veto was the third of Obama’s presidency.[14]

In response to the veto, then-Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) criticized Obama for prioritizing the desires of special interest groups over creating American jobs. He said, "The president is just too close to environmental extremists to stand up for America’s workers. He’s too invested in left-fringe politics to do what presidents are called on to do, and that’s put the national interest first."[15]

The U.S. State Department estimated that the pipeline's construction would support "approximately 42,100 jobs (direct, indirect, and induced)."[16] Obama, however, argued that the pipeline would only "create maybe 2,000 jobs during the construction of the pipeline...and then after that we're talking about somewhere between 50 and 100 jobs in an economy of 150 million working people."[17]

The Senate failed to override Obama’s veto by a vote of 62-37 on March 4, 2015. Democratic Sens. Michael Bennet (Colo.), Tom Carper (Del.), Bob Casey, Jr. (Pa.), Heidi Heitkamp (N.D.), Joe Manchin (W.Va.), Claire McCaskill (Mo.), Jon Tester (Mont.), and Mark Warner (Va.) voted with Republicans, but they fell short of the two-thirds majority they needed.[18]

After the vote, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) blamed special interests for their involvement in the pipeline battle.

McConnell said, "For a long time, projects like Keystone used to be no-brainers -- they were often approved without much controversy at all. But that was before powerful special interest groups and ideological extremists decided to embark on a quixotic quest."[19]

In contrast, Boxer said, "Why would we build a pipeline to bring filthy, dirty oil to our great nation, to our communities? The only thing it helps, frankly, are the special interests in Canada."[19]

Pipeline timeline

January 20, 2021

  • President Joe Biden (D) signed an executive order which revoked the permit for the Keystone XL Pipeline.[9]

August 23, 2019

  • The Nebraska Supreme Court approved the Keystone Pipeline path through the state. The court's decision said that the court found evidence showing the plans were in the public interest. Further, the court supported the Nebraska Public Service Commission's 2017 decision approving the construction of part of the pipeline through Nebraska.[20]

November 9, 2018

  • U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris blocked the permit issued by the Trump administration that approved the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline. Morris ruled that a supplemental environmental review had to be completed before the construction could proceed.[8]

November 20, 2017

  • The Nebraska Public Service Commission voted 3-2 to approve construction of a portion of the Keystone XL pipeline in Nebraska, though the commission rejected TransCanada's preferred route for the pipeline. The commission held several hearings on the pipeline in 2017 and considered more than 500,000 comments on the proposed route. The commission's ruling can be appealed to the Nebraska Supreme Court. The U.S. State Department also announced it would review its presidential permit for the pipeline and decide whether additional permitting actions are needed in light of the Nebraska commission's decision to approve an alternative pipeline route.[21][6][7]

November 16, 2017

  • The Keystone pipeline system leaked approximately 210,000 gallons of oil in northeastern South Dakota, according to TransCanada. According to the South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the leak was the largest Keystone pipeline spill as of November 2017. According to TransCanada, the pipeline was shut down within minutes of employees discovering an irregularity, and the spill had been controlled as of November 17, 2017.[22]

March 24, 2017

March 9, 2017

  • Secretary of State Rex Tillerson recused himself from issues related to the Keystone XL Pipeline because of his former role as chief executive officer of Exxon Mobil Corp. In a letter to Greenpeace, Katherine McManus, the State Department's deputy legal adviser, wrote, "He [Tillerson] has not worked on that matter at the Department of State, and will play no role in the deliberations or ultimate resolution of TransCanada's application." Greenpeace requested that Tillerson recuse himself from making decisions about the pipeline because Exxon Mobil would "directly and predictably" benefit from the approval of the project.[23]

January 26, 2017

  • TransCanada resubmitted its application for approval.[4]

January 24, 2017

  • President Donald Trump (R) signed an executive action to expedite final approval of the Keystone XL pipeline. The action did not officially approve the project, which would require a presidential permit issued by the U.S. State Department for the pipeline to cross the U.S.-Canadian border.[2]

June 10, 2016

  • The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee subpoenaed Secretary of State John Kerry "for all communications regarding" the decision to reject the Keystone XL Pipeline application. Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah), chairman of the committee, said, "Producing mostly publicly available documents to the committee and calling it responsive is pitiful. It demonstrates a contempt of Congress' constitutional right to conduct oversight. We will use every tool available to obtain the information we need to properly and fully investigate this matter."[24]

May 10, 2016

April 10, 2016

  • TransCanada restarted the Keystone XL Pipeline "at reduced pressure after it received American authorization to do so," according to Reuters.[26]

April 2, 2016:

  • TransCanada shut down a portion of the Keystone XL Pipeline after they "reported a spill of about 187 gallons of crude oil" near the Freeman pump station in Hutchinson County, South Dakota.[27]

January 6, 2016:

  • TransCanada Corp. filed two lawsuits against President Obama's rejection of the Keystone XL Pipeline. The one filed in a Houston federal court accused Obama of "exceeded his authority in November when he blocked the pipeline’s construction." TransCanada also "filed an international petition under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) seeking to recover the $15 billion in costs and damages it incurred in relation to Keystone," according to The Hill.[28][29]

November 6, 2015:

  • President Barack Obama rejected TransCanada's application to build the Keystone XL Pipeline on November 6, 2015.[10]

November 5, 2015:

  • After TransCanada asked the U.S. Department of State to suspend review of the pipeline project, congressional Democrats pressured President Obama to reject its construction before the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris on November 30. Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.) said, "It’s about a tone and it’s about an attitude. For the decision to be pending doesn’t hurt. But making a decision — rejecting it — I think, sets a tone and an attitude about the seriousness of this nation and, more important, the commitment that the president is making here."[30]

November 2, 2015:

  • TransCanada asked the U.S. State Department to suspend its review of the Keystone XL Pipeline. "The pipeline company said such a suspension would be appropriate while it works with Nebraska authorities for approval of its preferred route through the state that is facing legal challenges in state courts," according to CBS News.[11]

March 30, 2015:

March 4, 2015:

February 24, 2015:

February 13, 2015:

  • Speaker John Boehner signed the Keystone XL Pipeline bill, but he chose to delay sending it to Obama until after the President’s Day recess, in order to avoid a quick veto while members were out of town. He said, "Keystone isn’t just a pipeline, it’s a lifeline for our construction workers. And the overwhelming majority of the American people know it as well. So to the president, I would just say this: do the right thing, sign this bill."[33]

February 11, 2015:

February 11, 2015:

  • The House passed H Res 100, which called for a vote on S 1 "during the period from February 16, 2015, through February 23, 2015."[34]

January 29, 2015:

  • Speaker Boehner (R-Ohio) said, "I’d like to congratulate Sen. McConnell for passing this bill in an open, inclusive and bipartisan way. After dropping his scheme to tax middle-class college savings, we hope President Obama will now drop his threat to veto this common-sense bill."[35]

January 29, 2015:

Keystone XL Pipeline Route

January 9, 2015:

January 8, 2015:

  • H Res 19 passed the House 244-181. The bill stated, "Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3) to approve the Keystone XL Pipeline, and providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 30) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal the 30-hour threshold for classification as a full-time employee for purposes of the employer mandate in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and replace it with 40 hours."[38]

December 16, 2014:

  • After the 2014 midterm election, incoming Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) said, "We'll be starting next year with a job-creating bill that enjoys significant bipartisan support. The first item up in the new Senate will be the Keystone XL pipeline."[39]

November 18, 2014:

  • The Senate rejected S 2280, which would have immediately authorized the continuation of the Keystone XL pipeline on November 18, 2014. The bill failed by a vote of 59-41.[40]

November 14, 2014:

  • The House passed HR 5682, which authorized TransCanada "to construct, connect, operate, and maintain the pipeline and cross-border facilities specified in an application filed by TransCanada Corporation to the Department of State on May 4, 2012."[41]

April 18, 2014:

  • The U.S. State Department announced it was "indefinitely extending the inter-agency review of the pipeline, citing ongoing litigation over a Nebraska law that allowed the pipeline’s route through the state," according to The Wall Street Journal.[42]

February 19, 2014:

  • "A district court judge in Nebraska declare[d] the law that allowed for the pipeline’s route through the state unconstitutional," according to The Wall Street Journal.[42] Click here to read more.

January 31, 2014:

  • The U.S. State Department released "its final environmental impact statement, finding—as the previous one did—that the pipeline would not significantly exacerbate climate change," according to The Wall Street Journal.[42]

May 22, 2013:

  • The House passed H Res 228 by a vote of 228-185. The bill set "forth the rule for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3) to approve the construction, operation, and maintenance of the Keystone XL pipeline."[43]

March 22, 2013:

  • The Senate passed S Amdt 494 to S Con Res 8: "To establish a deficit-neutral reserve fund to promote investment and job growth in United States manufacturing, oil and gas production, and refining sectors through the construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline." It passed by a vote of 62-37.[44]

May 4, 2012:

March 8, 2012:

January 18, 2012:

  • Obama rejected TransCanada's permit.[42]

December 12, 2011:

  • Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman said that he "supports efforts to accelerate federal approval of a controversial crude oil pipeline through Nebraska," according to The Journal Star.[46]

November 10, 2011:

  • Obama delayed a decision on the pipeline until after the 2012 election.[42]

August 26, 2011:

  • After a review of the Keystone XL Pipeline project, the U.S. State Department concluded that "it wouldn’t add significant amounts of greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere."[42]

July 26, 2011:

  • The House passed HR 1938 - the North American-Made Energy Security Act. The bill required that a decision on the Keystone XL pipeline be made by November 1, 2011. The bill passed 279-147.[47]

September 19, 2008:

July 2008:

  • “TransCanada announces plans to expand its existing 590,000 bpd Keystone oil pipeline system to the Gulf Coast,” according to Reuters.[48]

Political debate

Despite a majority of Americans expressing their support for the construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline and "most energy policy experts" saying that "the project would have a minimal impact on jobs and climate," the pipeline was a struggle for control and power between congressional Democrats and Republicans and "a symbol of the continuing struggle between environmentalists and conservatives."[49]

Democratic support

2014 Democratically-controlled Senate

Longtime supporters of the Keystone XL Pipeline, former Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) and then-Rep. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), who was elected to the Senate in 2014, spearheaded an effort to approve the completion of the project during their 2014 runoff election battle.

In an effort to save her Senate seat, Landrieu was unable to persuade her Democratic colleagues to pass a bill to approve the pipeline. Democratic members of the Senate, who resisted holding a vote on the pipeline while the Obama administration conducted a six-year review of the project, defeated a version of Cassidy's proposed legislation, HR 5682, 59-41 on November 18.[40] The House passed Cassidy's bill by a vote of 252 - 161 on November 14.

The vote was an attempt by Landrieu to distance herself from Obama and his administration's energy policies, which were largely unpopular with Louisianians. Landrieu, ultimately, was unsuccessful in getting the pipeline approved and winning re-election.[56][40] Cassidy defeated Landrieu in the December 6 runoff election by 11.8 percent of the vote.[57]

If the completion of the pipeline had been approved by Congress, it was unclear as to whether President Barack Obama would have vetoed the bill. White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said, "The administration has taken a dim view of these kinds of legislative proposals in the past. It's fair to say that our dim view of these kinds of proposals has not changed."[58]

Special interests

Opposition

  • Thomas Steyer, founder of NextGen Climate Action: "I believe with all my heart that the Keystone XL pipeline is not in the best interest of our kids. By virtue of this letter, NextGen Climate is taking a Courage Pledge to support Members of Congress who are now being threatened with political attacks because they had the courage to stand up for our children by opposing the Keystone XL pipeline. ...The Keystone XL pipeline is a gateway to some of the world’s dirtiest oil that will significantly increase the amount of pollution in our air and water and endanger some of our most critical resources for generations to come."[59]
  • Bill McKibben, a founder of the group 350.org: The Keystone XL Pipeline "is like a Rube Goldberg machine producing global warming and other environmental catastrophes. If we’re going to do anything about global warming, it’s the poster child for the kind of stuff that’s going to have to stay in the ground."[60]
  • Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune: "Republicans in Congress continued to waste everyone’s time with a bill destined to go nowhere, just to satisfy the agenda of their big oil allies. The president has all the evidence he needs to reject Keystone XL now, and we are confident that he will."[49]

Supporters

The RNC’s video, "Walk The Walk," February 24, 2015
  • Jack Gerard, president and CEO of the American Petroleum Institute: "Lawmakers are listening to the American people on Keystone. That’s why Democrats and Republicans came together on this bill and that is why there are efforts to override the president’s veto. While we urge Congress to continue to fight for KXL, there should be no need for Congressional action if the president would make a final judgment on Keystone. The president has always had the authority on this and he can approve this pipeline today. After more than six years, it’s time to move beyond excuses and delays. If we are ever going to enhance our nation’s infrastructure we must start by making good decisions on projects that are in our national interest."[61]
  • Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus: "The least President Obama can do is look the American people in the eye when he is so blatantly defying them. The fact he vetoed the bipartisan Keystone Pipeline in private shows how out of step he is with the priorities of the American people, who overwhelmingly support this vital jobs and infrastructure project."[62]


What is the Keystone XL Pipeline?

The Keystone XL pipeline project proposed by TransCanada, a Canadian-based energy company, would transport crude oil extracted from tar sands in Alberta, Canada, and shale oil from North Dakota and Montana to Nebraska. The Keystone XL pipeline would then connect to existing pipelines and transport oil to refineries along the Gulf Coast. The pipeline would span 875 miles. TransCanada, a Canadian-based company, oversees the project.[63]

Federal approval

The Keystone XL pipeline would cross the U.S.-Canadian border and thus would require a presidential permit from the U.S. State Department. Under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), all federal agencies must submit a report on the potential impacts of all major federal actions that may affect the environment. Under NEPA, the federal government was required to evaluate and document the pipeline's potential environmental impacts. TransCanada applied for a presidential permit in 2008. The permit was denied by the State Department under George W. Bush (R). The company re-applied for a permit in May 2012 after it modified the pipeline's route. The 2012 permit application required an additional environmental impact study.[63]

Obama administration

In November 2015, the Obama administration denied TransCanada a presidential permit. President Obama (D) argued that approving the pipeline would undercut federal climate change policies aimed at reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.[1]

In response, TransCanada said the company "will review all of its options in light of a permit denial for Keystone XL," including filing a new permit application. The company called the decision "a damaging blow to jobs, the economy and the environment on both sides of the border."[1]

Trump administration

On March 24, 2017, the U.S. State Department under the Trump administration issued its presidential permit approving the Keystone XL pipeline. In response to the decision, TransCanada CEO Russ Girling said, "We greatly appreciate President Trump's administration for reviewing and approving this important initiative and we look forward to working with them as we continue to invest in and strengthen North America's energy infrastructure."[64][65]

On November 9, 2018, U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris blocked the permit issued by the Trump administration. Morris ruled that a supplemental environmental review had to be completed before the construction could proceed.[8]

Biden administration

On January 20, 2021, President Joe Biden (D) signed an executive order which revoked “permits signed over the past 4 years that do not serve the U.S. national interest, including revoking the Presidential permit granted to the Keystone XL pipeline.”[66]

Nebraska commission

On November 20, 2017, the Nebraska Public Service Commission voted 3-2 to approve construction of a portion of the Keystone XL pipeline in Nebraska, though the commission rejected TransCanada's preferred route for the pipeline. The commission held several hearings on the pipeline in 2017 and considered more than 500,000 comments on the proposed route. The commission's ruling can be appealed to the Nebraska Supreme Court.[6][7]

"As a result of today's decision, we will conduct a careful review of the Public Service Commission's ruling while assessing how the decision would impact the cost and schedule of the project," said TransCanada president and CEO Russ Girling.[6]

Jane Kleeb, chairwoman of the Nebraska Democratic Party and founder of Bold Nebraska, a group opposed to the pipeline said, "TransCanada did not get their preferred route which means years of new review and legal challenges are now on the table."[7]

On November 20, 2017, the U.S. State Department also announced it would review its presidential permit for the pipeline and decide whether additional permitting actions are needed in light of the Nebraska commission's decision to approve an alternative pipeline route.[6]

Keystone: Public opinion

According to polls from May 2014 through January 2015, the majority of Americans favored building the Keystone XL Pipeline, but the issue revealed a partisan split with more Republicans than Democrats supporting the project. According to a November 2014 survey conducted by Pew Research, "83% of Republicans favor building the pipeline, virtually unchanged from March 2013, but Democratic support has fallen 11 points since then, from 54% to 43%."[67]

Keystone XL Pipeline Public Opinion Polls
Poll Favor OpposeUnsure/
No response
Margin of ErrorSample Size
CBS News
May 16-19, 2014
56%28%17%+/-31,001
Pew Research Center
Nov. 6-9, 2014
59%31%10%+/-3.11,353
USA Today/Princeton Survey Research Associates International
Nov. 13-16, 2014
60%25%14%+/-3.61,000
CBS News
Jan. 9-12, 2015
60%28%12%+/-31,001
Note: A "0%" finding means the candidate was not a part of the poll. The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org

Recent news

The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Keystone XL Pipeline political timeline. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.

See also

External links

Footnotes

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 The New York Times, "Obama Rejects Construction of Keystone XL Oil Pipeline," November 6, 2015
  2. 2.0 2.1 WhiteHouse.gov, "Presidential Memorandum Regarding Construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline," accessed February 13, 2017
  3. The Hill, "Trump takes action to move forward with Keystone, Dakota Access pipelines," January 24, 2017
  4. 4.0 4.1 The Hill, "Overnight Energy: TransCanada reapplies to build Keystone XL," January 26, 2017
  5. 5.0 5.1 Bloomberg, "Keystone Pipeline Gets Trump Approval as New Roadblocks Loom," March 24, 2017
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Washington Examiner, "Nebraska regulators approve in-state route for Keystone XL pipeline," November 20, 2017
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 CNN, "Nebraska approves path for controversial Keystone XL pipeline," November 20, 2017
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 The Wall Street Journal, "Federal Judge Blocks Keystone XL Pipeline Permit," November 9, 2018
  9. 9.0 9.1 The Wall Street Journal, "President Biden Signs Executive Orders on Face Mask Mandate, Keystone Pipeline, Paris Accord," January 20, 2021
  10. 10.0 10.1 The Hill, "Obama rejects Keystone pipeline," accessed November 6, 2015
  11. 11.0 11.1 CBS News, "Surprise in Keystone XL pipeline controversy," accessed November 3, 2015
  12. Washington Examiner, "Speaker Ryan on Obama's 'sickening' Keystone decision," accessed November 7, 2015
  13. Whitehouse.gov, "Veto Message to the Senate: S. 1, Keystone XL Pipeline Approval Act," accessed February 26, 2015
  14. Senate.gov, "Vetoes by President Barack H. Obama," accessed March 4, 2015
  15. The Hill, "Obama vetoes Keystone XL bill," accessed February 26, 2015
  16. U.S. State Department, "Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the Keystone XL Project," accessed January 22, 2015
  17. Huffington Post, "President Obama Is Right on Keystone XL Tar Sands Pipeline Job Numbers," September 30, 2013
  18. 18.0 18.1 Senate.gov, "U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 114th Congress - 1st Session," accessed March 4, 2015
  19. 19.0 19.1 Los Angeles Times, "Senate fails to override Obama's veto of Keystone XL pipeline," accessed March 4, 2015
  20. Nebraska Supreme Court, "Supreme Court Opinions," accessed September 10, 2019
  21. Omaha World-Herald, "130-plus citizens, groups file to intervene in approval process for Keystone XL route across Nebraska," March 24, 2017
  22. CNN, "Keystone Pipeline leaks 210,000 gallons of oil in South Dakota," November 16, 2017
  23. Reuters, "Tillerson has recused himself from Keystone pipeline issues: State Dept." accessed March 13, 2017
  24. Washington Examiner, "GOP subpoenas Kerry on Keystone XL," accessed June 20, 2016
  25. The Hill, "States, Chamber back Keystone lawsuit against Obama," accessed May 10, 2016
  26. Reuters, "TransCanada restarts Keystone pipeline at reduced pressure," accessed May 10, 2016
  27. CNN, "Keystone pipeline springs leak in South Dakota," accessed May 10, 2016
  28. The Hill, "Keystone pipeline developer sues Obama," accessed May 10, 2016
  29. The Hill, "Obama's Keystone saga takes new turn," accessed May 10, 2016
  30. The Hill, "Dems to Obama: Reject Keystone before Paris," accessed November 8, 2015
  31. The Hill, "EPA chief: Keystone wouldn’t be a ‘disaster’ for climate," accessed March 31, 2015
  32. 32.0 32.1 32.2 Congress.gov, "S.1," accessed February 26, 2015
  33. The Hill, "Republicans sign Keystone bill, will make Obama wait on veto," accessed February 26, 2015
  34. Congress.gov, "H.Res.100," accessed February 26, 2015
  35. The Hill, "Senate votes to build Keystone, defying veto threat from Obama," accessed February 26, 2015
  36. Congress.gov, "Congressional Record January 29, 2015," accessed March 4, 2015
  37. Congress.gov, "H.R.3," accessed February 26, 2015
  38. Congress.gov, "H.Res. 19," accessed February 26, 2015
  39. The Hill, "Keystone first item on Senate’s agenda," accessed February 26, 2015
  40. 40.0 40.1 40.2 New York Times, "Senate Vote 280 - Defeats Keystone XL Pipeline," accessed November 19, 2014
  41. Congress.gov, "H.R.5682 - To approve the Keystone XL Pipeline," accessed November 17, 2014
  42. 42.0 42.1 42.2 42.3 42.4 42.5 42.6 42.7 The Wall Street Journal, "The Keystone XL Pipeline Timeline," accessed November 14, 2014
  43. Congress.gov, "H.Res.228," accessed November 17, 2014
  44. Congress.gov, "S.Amdt.494 to S.Con.Res.8," accessed November 17, 2014
  45. Senate.gov, "U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 112th Congress - 2nd Session," accessed November 20, 2014
  46. JournalStar.com, "Heineman supports speeding up Keystone XL," December 12, 2011
  47. Congress.gov, "H.R.1938 - North American-Made Energy Security Act," accessed November 20, 2014
  48. Reuters, "Timeline: The six-year battle over the Keystone XL pipeline," accessed March 4, 2015
  49. 49.0 49.1 The New York Times, "Obama Vetoes Bill Pushing Pipeline Approval," accessed March 5, 2015
  50. Carper.Senate.gov, "Sen. Carper Statement on Senate Approval of Keystone Pipeline," accessed March 5, 2015
  51. Heitkamp.Senate.gov, "Heitkamp Statement on Keystone XL Pipeline," accessed March 5, 2015
  52. Manchin.Senate.gov, "Manchin Statement on Keystone XL Pipeline Vote," accessed March 5, 2015
  53. McCaskill.Senate.gov, "McCaskill Will Vote to Override President’s Keystone Veto," accessed March 5, 2015
  54. Tester.Senate.gov, "Why I Support the Keystone XL Pipeline," accessed March 5, 2015
  55. Warner.Senate.gov, "Statement of Sen. Warner on Keystone XL Pipeline," accessed March 5, 2015
  56. USA Today, "Landrieu keeps Obama at arm's length in re-election race," accessed October 9, 2014
  57. Bloomberg.com, "By the Numbers: Half of the Senators Who Voted for Obamacare Will be Gone in 2015," accessed December 8, 2014
  58. USA Today, "Obama team hints at Keystone veto," accessed November 13, 2014
  59. NextGenClimate.org, "An Open Letter from Thomas F. Steyer," accessed March 5, 2015
  60. The New Yorker, "The Symbolic Politics of Keystone XL," accessed March 5, 2015
  61. API.org, "Battle to build Keystone XL is far from over," accessed March 5, 2015
  62. GOP.com, "RNC Releases Statement, Video on President Obama’s Veto of Keystone XL Pipeline," accessed March 5, 2015
  63. 63.0 63.1 Congressional Research Service, "Keystone XL Pipeline: Overview and Recent Developments," January 5, 2015
  64. Bloomberg, "Keystone Pipeline Gets Trump Approval as New Roadblocks Loom," March 24, 2017
  65. TransCanada, "TransCanada Receives Presidential Permit for Keystone XL, "March 24, 2017
  66. Politico, "Biden kills Keystone XL permit, again," January 20, 2021
  67. Pew Research, "Little Enthusiasm, Familiar Divisions After the GOP’s Big Midterm Victory," accessed November 13, 2014