Obama Likely to Veto Keystone Pipeline Bill: White House

US President "strongly opposes" the Keystone Pipeline Act, and will likely veto the bill, the White House said in a statement on Wednesday.

MOSCOW, January 7 (Sputnik) — WASHINGTON, January 7 (Sputnik) – US President Barack Obama "strongly opposes" the Keystone Pipeline Act, and will likely veto the bill if Congress presents it to him, the White House said in a statement on Wednesday.

"The Administration strongly opposes H.R. 3 [Keystone XL Pipeline bill], which would immediately authorize the construction, connection, operation, and maintenance of the Keystone XL pipeline," the White House statement read.

The White House said that the Keystone XL Pipeline bill "would cut short consideration of important issues relevant to the national interest" including serious security, safety and environmental issues.

Additionally, the White House argues that the bill would authorize the project despite the uncertainty of the ongoing litigation at a Nebraska court on the project's passage.

The Keystone XL pipeline would connect Alberta, Canada and the US Gulf Coast. According to Energy and Commerce Committee estimates, the pipeline would bring an additional 830,000 barrels of oil per day to US refineries.

However, environmental groups claim the Keystone XL pipeline project will contribute to carbon emissions and climate change, while being of little benefit.