President Obama Vetoes Keystone Pipeline Bill

Legislation would have authorized TransCanada Corp. to construct the 1,179-mile pipeline.

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WASHINGTON - February 25, 2015: NACSonline reported that President Barack Obama has vetoed legislation yesterday that would have approved the Keystone XL pipeline shortly after it arrived at the White House for his signature, "without any drama or fanfare or delay,” reports USA Today.

The president repeatedly vowed to veto the bill. The bill passed the House of Representatives 270-152 and the Senate 62-36 — margins well short of the two-thirds majorities needed to override.

White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said the administration might eventually approve the pipeline after the State Department review is complete. “That possibility still does exist. This is an ongoing review,” writes the Wall Street Journal, adding that the State Department is deciding whether the Keystone XL pipeline is in the nation’s interest by examining its impact on the economy, environment and national security. There is no deadline to make a final decision.

The pipeline, which would deliver up to 830,000 barrels of oil a day from Canada to the Gulf Coast, has become a political flash point in the debate over climate change and economic growth. The energy security and economic opportunity provided by projects like Keystone XL, which has been found to present limited environmental risks, was supported by NACS as a matter of sound national energy policy.

The Keystone Pipeline bill is the third bill vetoed by President Obama since being sworn into office in January 2009.