Obama To Make Keystone Pipeline Decision In "A Couple Of Months"

If this report out of a closed-door meeting between Governors and President Obama is any indication, we may finally be getting a decision on the Keystone pipeline this spring.

I had expected Obama to delay a decision until after the midterms, and to use the legal setback in Nebraska as cover, but after years of dithering perhaps a decision is, relatively speaking, imminent. Of course, as Governor Jindal indicates, we’ve seen this song and dance before.

Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin told reporters after a closed-door White House meeting Monday that Obama predicted a final decision will come much sooner.

“He did come back and say that he anticipates an answer one way or the other in a couple months,” she told reporters.

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal also said Obama told governors a decision would come in the next few months — though he expressed skepticism.

“We’ve heard this before,” Jindal said during a Republican Governors Association news conference.

Republicans have complained that the president had predicted a year ago that the decision would come by the end of 2013.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry was much more optimistic.

“The president is going to approve the XL pipeline,” he said. “Just write it down. … There is no defending not opening the XL pipeline.” …

I guess we’ll see.

As far as North Dakota is concerned, pipeline infrastructure is becoming more important than ever. It’s becoming clear that Bakken crude is much more volatile than previously thought, and while that perhaps can be addressed  with additional safety measures for rail shipping, pipelines are optimal.