US Senate Passes Bill Authorizing Keystone XL Pipeline

The US Senate voted 62 to 35, passing the Keystone XL pipeline approval bill.

WASHINGTON, January 30 (Sputnik) — The US Senate passed the Keystone XL pipeline approval bill that will allow to transport about 830,000 barrels of oil from Canada to the US Gulf Coast, according to the Senate vote summary.

“Cloture Motion Agreed to,” Thursday summary said, specifying that the Senate voted 62 to 35, passing the bill.

Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska praised the passage of the bill, which according to her earlier statements will help the United States show leadership as a «global energy superpower», support thousands of jobs and keep the energy affordable for US citizens.

"For all the right reasons, it was important that we pass this legislation in front of us here today," Murkowski told journalists Thursday.

The White House said earlier Thursday that US President Barack Obama will veto the controversial project, which according to activists claims will have a negative effect on the environment.

On Wednesday Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell urged President Obama to sign the bipartisan bill into law.

If the Keystone XL pipeline authorization bill becomes a law, a Calgary-based major energy company TransCanada will be able to construct a pipeline, which will transport about 830,000 barrels of oil per day from Canadian Alberta to US refineries on the Gulf Coast and Midwest, according to the company’s proposed plan.

The final State Department Environmental Impact Statement released in January concluded that there will be no significant effect on the environment.