U.S. says it will complete environmental review for Keystone XL pipeline

U.S. government attorneys say the Trump administration plans to finish a new environmental review of the Keystone XL oil pipeline from Canada even if a federal appeals court throws out a lawsuit that blocked the project.

U.S. President Donald Trump issued a new permit for the $8-billion (USD) pipeline last month.

In court filings on Tuesday, government attorneys said it is “undisputed” that Trump’s permit is not subject to two major environmental laws — the National Environmental Policy Act and Endangered Species Act.

READ MORE: Jason Kenney calls environment assessment bill a threat to national unity

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Watch below: (From May 2019) Just days into the job, newly minted Alberta Premier Jason Kenney headed to Ottawa to meet with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. While the photo-op appeared friendly, Kenney arrived with a stark warning about Bill C-69. David Akin explains.

4:07 Alberta’s Jason Kenney takes pipeline fight to Ottawa

Nevertheless, the attorneys say the State Department will complete an environmental study ordered by a federal judge in Montana in November.

READ MORE: South Dakota governor, Oglala Sioux in pipeline protest law standoff

The long-delayed line would carry up to 830,000 barrels of crude daily from Canada to Nebraska.