"The company sponsoring the controversial Keystone XL oil pipeline Monday asked the State Department to suspend the review of its federal permit application, a request that could push a final decision on the pipeline beyond President Obama’s tenure in office.

The administration is preparing to reject a cross-border permit for the project aimed at transporting hundreds of thousands of barrels of heavy crude oil from Canada’s oil sands region to Gulf Coast refineries, according to several individuals who have been briefed but spoke on the condition of anonymity because the White House’s decision has not been announced. In asking for a delay, TransCanada could hand the issue, which has come to symbolize the broader battle over how the United States should address climate change, to the next U.S. president.

The Nebraska Public Service Commission is reviewing the pipeline’s route in the state after residents there challenged the state’s approval process for the project, and TransCanada argued in a letter to Secretary of State John F. Kerry that it would be “appropriate” to delay any federal decision until the Nebraska route is settled. The company first applied for a presidential permit seven years ago."

Juliet Eilperin reports for the Washington Post November 2, 2015. [2]

SEE ALSO:

"Keystone XL's Builder Faced Darkening Prospects" (Reuters) [3]

"Expecting Rejection, TransCanada Instead Wants Keystone XL Review Suspended" (InsideClimate News) [4]

"TransCanada Seeks Keystone XL Delay, Taking Decision Off Obama's Hands" (Guardian) [5]

"Transcanada Asks US To Suspend Pipeline Application Review" (AP) [6]

"TransCanada Suspends Request for Permit to Build Keystone Pipeline" (New York Times) [7]

"TransCanada Wants To Suspend Consideration of Keystone XL Pipeline" (McClatcchy) [8]

"TransCanada Asks Obama To Suspend Review Of Keystone XL Pipeline" (The Hill) [9]