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(AP) – The proposed Keystone XL oil pipeline from Canada has cleared a significant hurdle after the State Department raised no major environmental objections to its construction.

The department’s report says Canadian tar sands are likely to be developed regardless of U.S. action on the pipeline and other options to get the oil from western Canada to Texas Gulf Coast refineries are worse for the environment. The latest environmental review stops short of recommending approval of the project. 

But the report gives the Obama administration political cover if it chooses to endorse the pipeline in spite of opposition from many Democrats and environmental groups. State Department approval of the project is needed because it crosses a U.S. border. A decision is not expected before the summer.

North Dakota U-S House Representative Kevin Cramer had this response: “This latest State Department document adds to a pile of 15,500 pages of existing review on the most studied pipeline in history.

Six years after the application to build Keystone XL was first submitted, Americans are still asking President Obama why he has not approved a project which will solve infrastructure problems and create jobs.

Now the State Department says it needs even more time to determine whether construction is in the national interest. It should be as abundantly clear to the President as it is to me and the overwhelming majority of Americans that pipelines are the safest and most efficient way to move oil to market, and this country needs the thousands of jobs Keystone would provide.

There is no question building this pipeline is in the national interest, and President Obama should demonstrate leadership by approving it immediately.”

North Dakota Senator John Hoeven made this announcement on the news release: “The U.S. State Department’s final EIS is a step forward in that it poses no reason for President Obama to deny approval of the Keystone XL pipeline project. Although not explicit, this finding is consistent with four previous findings that affirm the need to begin construction without delay.

Hoeven added, “On the other hand, the report is vague and provides no timeline for a final decision, giving the president broad room to postpone a decision further. That would be consistent with his tactic over the past five years of trying to defeat the project through bureaucratic delay and deferral. A recent Harris Interactive poll found that a large majority of Americans support not only the Keystone XL project but also expanding the nation’s oil and gas infrastructure with new pipelines and other facilities. The question now is will President Obama heed the will of the American people and move the project forward, or will he continue to delay.”

And North Dakota Senator Heidi Heitkamp had this response concerning the Keystone XL Pipeline announcement: “Today, we are one step closer toward approval of the Keystone XL pipeline. This report again reaffirmed that construction of the pipeline will have minimal environmental impact. It also recognizes what I have repeatedly stated – regardless of whether this pipeline is built or not, the Canadian oil-sands will be developed. The question is, will Canada move it to the U.S. to be refined, or somewhere else across the globe? We have the opportunity to make sure it comes to the U.S., where it would boost domestic energy production by bringing in oil from our greatest trading partner and friend, and continue to move us toward North American energy security and independence – a goal we all want to achieve.

Heitkamp added, “It’s appalling this process is taking so long. Not only is it unacceptable, but it’s embarrassing that we cannot approve a pipeline application in the time it took us to fight World War II. Since I took office, I have addressed this issue using both common sense, and my private sector experience working for Dakota Gasification for twelve years. I’ll continue to press the Administration to approve this pipeline, which is in our economic, national security, and energy interests. It’s the right thing for our country.”