"President Obama set a high bar for approval of the controversial Keystone XL pipeline, declaring for the first time that he would let the project go forward only if it does not 'significantly increase' emissions of greenhouse gases."

"The pledge came in a speech on climate policy in which Obama laid out a series of executive actions his administration will take over the next several years to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and other gases that are major causes of climate change.

The most significant of those actions was a directive to the Environmental Protection Agency to develop by next June the first U.S. regulations designed to cut carbon dioxide emissions from existing power plants. The new rules, which would go into effect the following year, would probably require the closing of some coal-fired plants."

Neela Banerjee reports for the Los Angeles Times June 25, 2013.

SEE ALSO:

"Obama: Keystone XL Should Not Be Approved If It Will Increase Greenhouse Gas Emissions" (HBuffington Post)

"John Kerry Controls Keystone XL Decision -- Good News For Pipeline Opponents" (Huffington Post)

"Keystone XL Pipeline: Did Obama Just Drop a Big Hint About His Decision?" (Christian Science Monitor)

"In Keystone Boost, U.S. Study Sees No Added Risk From Canada oil" (Reuters)

Source: LA Times, 06/26/2013