Obama to Act On Keystone in ‘a Couple of Months’

WASHINGTON (AP/Staff) — Governors are quoting President Barack Obama as saying he expects to decide on the proposed Keystone XL oil pipeline in the next couple of months. Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman, a Republican who supports the pipeline, said Obama was asked about Keystone Monday at a White House meeting with about 40 governors. Heineman and Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin said Obama told governors he expects a decision “in the next couple of months,” but didn’t offer a specific timetable. Fallin, a Republican who chairs the National Governors Association, also supports Keystone. The southern leg of the pipeline began transporting oil in January. That leg runs through much of East Texas, including eastern Smith County.

A White House spokesman said he would not provide details of a private discussion with governors, and said review of the Canada-to-Texas pipeline remains at the State Department. A Nebraska judge struck down the route through that state last week.