TransCanada given US permit to build Keystone XL pipeline

Washington (AFP) – The US State Department said Friday that it has issued a presidential permit for TransCanada to build the Keystone XL oil pipeline.

One of President Donald Trump’s first acts after taking office in January was to give a conditional go ahead for the controversial cross-border project, which Barack Obama had put on hold over environmental concerns.

After a review of the project, Under Secretary of State Thomas Shannon issued the presidential permit, concluding among other things it would “serve the national interest,” the State Department said.