Keystone XL backers vow to soldier on

WASHINGTON, June 29 (UPI) -- Supporters of the Keystone XL oil pipeline from Canada say they're not ready to give up their effort to expedite the approval process.

A transportation bill that maintains tax revenue generated from retail gasoline sales moved forward this week without a provision for the Keystone XL oil pipeline.

The White House in January rejected a permit for Keystone XL because of concerns about the route through Nebraska. Republican critics of U.S. President Barack Obama's energy policy have tried to push the project forward through as riders to a variety of bills. The White House said it would veto the transportation bill if it contained language on Keystone XL.

U.S. Rep. Lee Terry, R-Neb., this week said he was "ready to pounce" on the next chance to attach the project to new legislation, news Web site Politico reports. An assistance to a senior Republican official told Politico the Keystone XL fight was far from over.

"This is not the last you've heard of this issue," the aide said on condition of anonymity. "Not by a long shot."

TransCanada, the company behind the pipeline, has resubmitted an application for the project. It expects approval by early 2013.

The company aims to start construction on the U.S. leg of the pipeline, the Gulf Coast Project, this summer.