House may try again with Keystone XL

WASHINGTON, Jan. 30 (UPI) -- "All options are on the table" to ensure the White House moves quickly on the planned Keystone XL oil pipeline from Canada, a U.S. lawmaker said.

U.S. House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, said on ABC News' "This Week" that House leaders may insert language on the Keystone XL pipeline into a pending jobs bill.

"All options are on the table (for the pipeline)," he said. "If it's not enacted before we take up the American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act, it'll be part of it."

House leaders inserted language into a law extending payroll tax benefits that gave U.S. President Barack Obama until mid-February to decide if Keystone XL was in the national interest. Obama in mid-January denied a permit for the pipeline, citing the "arbitrary" deadline.

Pipeline company TransCanada wants to build Keystone XL to carry so-called tar sands oil from Canada to refineries along the southern U.S. coast. Critics say crude oil from Canada is some of the dirtiest oil. Backers say it will enhance U.S. energy security and stimulate a weak U.S. economy.

"This is the epitome of a shovel-ready job project that the president ought to be approving," Boehner added.

TransCanada said it would reapply for a U.S. permit, adding Keystone XL planning is proceeding as scheduled.