With the Nebraska Supreme Court poised to issue a ruling on the path of the Keystone XL pipeline and President Barack Obama continuing to talk down its benefits, chances are dwindling that the project will get the administration's approval,
The Wall Street Journal reported.
The White House has said all along that the State Department will not announce a final decision on Keystone until the state court has made its determination.
The president has said repeatedly that he doubts supporters' claims that the pipeline will create permanent jobs or lower energy costs. "It's very good for Canadian oil companies, and it's good for the Canadian oil industry, but it's not going to be a huge benefit to U.S. consumers," Obama said.
With the price of a gallon of gas averaging $2.38,
according to CNN, one of the main arguments made by the pro-Keystone camp is losing its traction.
"The public is typically more sympathetic to pro-oil-production policies when gasoline prices are high," said Michael Levi of the Council on Foreign Relations. "And when gasoline prices are low, that can create room for policies that impede production," the Journal reported.
Keystone XL is intended to channel 830,000 barrels of oil a day via a 1,700 mile pipeline from Canada to Gulf Coast refineries. Opponents say it is bad for the environment and perpetuates reliance on fossil fuels. Backers say it would create thousands of jobs and is a secure way to transport oil.
Incoming Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has said that expediting approval of the Keystone XL pipeline is first on his agenda,
The New York Times reported.
The president's opposition to Keystone is also tied to his desire to be remembered as having taken tangible steps to halt global warming, the Journal reported. The
EPA says that burning fossil fuels contributes to climate change.