Washington Digest: House votes again for Keystone XL pipeline

WASHINGTON — The House last week easily approved legislation to permit construction of the long-delayed Keystone XL pipeline.

The pipeline would carry up to 830,000 barrels of tar sands oil per day from Canada to refineries in the Gulf Coast of Texas. It was first proposed in 2008 but has yet to clear permitting reviews by the U.S. Department of State. The State Department does not plan to approve it until a Nebraska court rules on the proposed pipeline route through that state.

Environmental groups oppose the pipeline, saying the oil extracted from the tar sands in Alberta produces more pollution and will lead to additional greenhouse gas emissions that they say will harm the global climate.

Proponents, however, say the pipeline is an environmentally safe way to transport the oil that will be extracted regardless. They also say the pipeline will create jobs and lessen U.S. dependence on Middle East oil.

The Senate has ignored at least a half-dozen similar House measures but has scheduled debate this Tuesday in what is broadly seen as an attempt to assist Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., keep her seat in a Dec. 6 runoff.

The House bill that passed was sponsored by Rep. Bill Cassidy, Landrieu’s Republican challenger. It was the first substantive vote in the lame duck session that convened last week following the midterm elections.

“I hope the Senate and the president do the right thing and pass this legislation creating thousands of jobs,” Cassidy said.

“I believe it is time to act,” said Landrieu, noting that the pipeline construction is “broadly supported by the American public.”

Passage in the Senate will require a 60-vote majority. The White House has indicated that President Obama likely would veto the measure — requiring proponents to gather two-thirds support in the House and Senate to override.

The House vote was 252-161 in favor of the pipeline.

Reps. Mark Amodei and Joe Heck, both R-Nev., voted for the bill. Reps. Steven Horsford and Dina Titus, both D-Nev., opposed it.

Contact Peter Urban at purban@stephensmedia.com or at 202-783-1760.