On May 22, 2013, the United States House of Representatives (the "House") approved a bill that would allow construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline. The House voted in favour of the proposed Northern Route Approval Act, which gives congress the power to approve the construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline without the requirement for a presidential permit. Currently, the pipeline approval process requires the State Department to assess and review pipeline projects and issue a permit. The House voted 241-175 in favour of the Act with nineteen democrats voting in favour of the legislation. The bill will now come before the Senate for consideration.
The Obama Administration is expected to make a decision in regards to the Keystone XL Pipeline later this year.
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