The Calgary-based developer of the Keystone XL oil pipeline plans to start construction next year, after a U.S. State Department review ordered by a federal judge concluded that major environmental damage from a leak is unlikely and could quickly be mitigated, a company spokesman said Monday. TransCanada spokesman Matthew John said the company remains committed to moving ahead with the project following years of reviews from federal and state regulators. The Keystone XL pipeline would bring oil from Hardisty, Alta., to Steele City, Neb. In court documents from the Montana lawsuit, TransCanada's attorneys said they believe all the pending lawsuits will be resolved before construction begins. The State Department has noted that TransCanada has a lower overall spill rate than average in the pipeline industry.

Source: CBC News September 24, 2018 19:42 UTC