"The U.S. State Department said Friday it expects to issue a final environmental assessment next month on TransCanada Corp's proposed $7 billion pipeline that would deliver crude from Canada's oil sands to refineries to Texas.

The pipeline has been opposed by many lawmakers and environmentalists for greenhouse gas emissions associated with oil sands production and because the line would run across one of the world's largest aquifers.

Federal agencies would have 90 days to comment on the department's final environmental assessment after it's issued in August.

The State Department said it still expects to make a final decision on approval of the line by the end of the year."

Timothy Gardner reports for Reuters July 25, 2011. [2]