"The White House said on Thursday that finding an alternate route for the Keystone XL oil pipeline from Canada to Texas would take time and any effort to circumvent the approval process would be "counterproductive."

President Barack Obama faces a February 21 deadline set by Congress to either allow TransCanada's $7 billion pipeline to be built or determine the project is not in the national interest of the United States.

Speculation in Washington is rampant on how Obama will address the tricky political question, which divides two key parts of his base during an election year.

Most labor unions support the project, which will bring their members jobs. But Green groups have made defeating it a top priority because processing Canadian oil sands into crude produces carbon emissions."

Laura MacInnis and Aruna Viswanatha report for Reuters January 13, 2012. [2]

SEE ALSO:

"AFL-CIO Divided on Keystone Pipeline" (E2 Wire/The Hill) [3]

"Republicans Move To Control Keystone Approval" (Reuters)
[4]
"Heavy Lobbying Before Keystone Oil Pipeline Decision" (NPR)
[5]
"API's Gerard says Keystone XL decision will carry political consequences for Obama" (E&E News Onpoint TV) [6]

"US Chamber of Commerce Leader Calls For Keystone XL, Energy Growth" (Platts) [7]