By Bloomberg News
WASHINGTON - The State Department will give the public more time to comment on the Keystone XL pipeline, which could delay the final decision on a project that has been under review for more than five years.
The department is completing a final environmental assessment of the proposed pipeline to carry oil sands crude from Canada to refineries along the Gulf of Mexico coast.
When that is released, State Department officials will start a process to determine whether TransCanada Corp.’s $5.4 billion project is in the national interest before President Barack Obama makes a final decision.
The agency will seek public comment during the national interest determination review period, according to the official who requested anonymity to discuss decisions.
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The agency didn’t say how much time the public will have to submit comments.
The proposed pipeline has galvanized environmental groups, which are pushing Obama to reject the project because they say it will increase greenhouse-gas emissions tied to climate change.
