Biden wants to cancel Keystone XL pipeline as soon as he takes office: reports

President elect Joe bidenJoe BidenFear of insider attack prompts FBI to carry out additional check on National Guard troops: PA Iran sentences US businessman for spying: DC report, state capitals see little problem , heavy security amid concerns over protests MORE reportedly intends to cancel the license for the $ 8 billion Keystone XL pipeline on its first day in operation.

The Société Radio-Canada (SRC) first reported the news Sunday after getting an apparent briefing note from Biden’s transition team. On the list of executive actions intended for Biden’s first day in office, “Cancel Keystone XL pipeline license” would appear.

As the outlet notes, Biden indicated months ago that he planned to cancel the pipeline, although supporters of the project hoped he would change his mind. The project crosses the Canada-US border and is supported by the Canadian government.

“The Government of Canada continues to support the Keystone XL project and the benefits it will bring to Canada and the United States,” Canadian Ambassador to the United States Kirsten Hillman said in a statement.

“Not only has the project itself changed dramatically from its original proposal, but Canada’s oil sands production has changed dramatically as well. Oil sands GHG emissions per barrel have fallen 31% since 2000, and innovation will continue to drive progress.

Biden’s transition team did not immediately respond when asked about the report.

In response to the report, Sen. Bernie sandersBernie Sanders Biden’s tax hike proposals face a bumpy road ahead Senate Democrats wary of filibuster ‘Almost Heaven, West Virginia’ – Joe Manchin and a 50-50 PLUS Senate (I-Vt.) Wrote: “The Keystone pipeline is and always has been a disaster. I am delighted that Joe Biden is canceling the Keystone license on his first day on the job. With all of the major crises facing America, we must never lose sight of the most existential threat to our planet: climate change. “

The Keystone pipeline is and always has been a disaster. I am delighted that Joe Biden is canceling the Keystone license on his first day in office. With all of the major crises facing America, we must never lose sight of the most existential threat to our planet: climate change. https://t.co/8lDZDOgsVy

– Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) January 18, 2021

The controversial project has faced several protests from environmentalists and Native Americans since it was first proposed over a decade ago. In April, a Montana district judge ruled against the pipeline and canceled a key permit.

TC Energy, the company behind the pipeline, had previously sued the US government President TrumpDonald Trump Iran condemns US businessman for espionage: DC report, state capitals see few problems, heavy security amid protest concerns Pardon seekers paid tens of thousands of Trump allies to do so pressure on the president: NYT PLUS taking office but abandoned the effort after Trump’s election, the CBC noted.

A legal expert who spoke to the outlet said that if TC Energy launches a similar lawsuit, success will depend on investors’ decision to stay on the project.