Keystone XL expected to get favorable ruling from State Department

A former State Department official expects Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to clear TransCanada's Keystone XL pipeline, given the department's finding that the project involves few environmental risks. "Balancing jobs, energy security (and) a country which has increased production, potentially the size of Libya, I think the case for the pipeline is overwhelming and she'll approve it," said David Goldwyn, formerly the head of international energy affairs at the department.

Rep. Denny Rehberg, R-Mont., plans to increase pressure on the federal government to reach a decision on TransCanada's Keystone XL pipeline within the deadline. The project would help the country curb its reliance on energy imports, create thousands of jobs and generate millions in property taxes in the state, Rehberg said. "It's time to stop delaying the economic recovery," he added.

Since its operation began in June 2010, the Keystone 1 pipeline has suffered more spills than any other first-year pipeline in U.S. history. That record has provided ammunition to foes of the Keystone XL expansion.