The fight over TransCanada Corp.’s Keystone XL has long been a political battle royal involving the U.S., Canada, Republicans, Democrats, the oil and gas sector and environmentalists, but it seems that the struggle is intensifying as the new Republican-controlled 114th Congress begins its work.

For the past few months, GOP leadership has made it clear that the passage of the long-delayed crude pipeline was at the forefront of its agenda, with the House expected to pass a bill related to the project by the end of this week.

A bipartisan bill to approve the project was introduced in the Senate on the first day of this Congress by Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va. and Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D. with 60 co-sponsors. However, the Senate energy committee canceled its previously scheduled hearings related to the project due to objections from Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.).

It is expected that Democrats not currently supporting the bill are attempting to add various riders and amendments to the proposed legislation. These additions are coming from two different directions: some are seeking to make it more palatable for lawmakers to add support while others are intended to lessen the bill’s support.

These additions would ensure that:

  • At least a large majority of the pipeline be built from U.S. produced steel;
  • None of the crude transported on the pipeline be exported from the U.S.;
  • The majority of the workforce employed on the project be U.S. laborers; and
  • An even amount of biofuels and renewable projects be supported in some fashion.

Additionally, just an hour into the new Congress, the White House announced that President Obama would veto any bill seeking to approve the project prior to State Department approval.

“I can confirm for you that if this bill passes this Congress, the president wouldn’t sign it,” White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said during his daily press briefing on Jan. 6. “There’s already a well-established process in place to consider whether infrastructure projects like this are in the best interest of the country,” he added in reference to the continued study of the project by the State Department.

John Kneiss, director, Hart Energy’s Stratas Advisors, said it is unlikely that Congress would be able to overturn a presidential veto.

“I’m quite certain that the full Senate will pass legislation authorizing construction of the Keystone XL pipeline with at least six Democrats supporting the legislation,” he said. “Passage through the House will be easier, with more than 20 Democrats voting for the bill. Can it get to a veto-proof vote? It will be close, but it’s not likely,” he told Midstream Business.

He added that it is unlikely that any negotiations will be held at this time between the White House and Congress to ensure that a veto is not used.

Indeed, Earnest said during the press briefing that the administration considers Congress’ decision to place Keystone XL legislation so high on its agenda as a sign that it are not willing to work with the White House. “It raises questions about the willingness of Republicans to work with this administration when you consider that the very first bill introduced is one that the president opposes,” he said.

“I am disappointed that the president will not allow this Congress to turn over a new leaf and engage in the legislative process to improve an important piece of legislation,” Manchin said in a press statement. “His decision to veto such a common sense bill prior to the unfolding of regular congressional order and the offering of amendments appears premature and does little to mitigate the congressional gridlock. It is time that we address the critical issues of moving America toward energy independence and fostering job growth and economic prosperity.”

The cost of the 1,179-mile pipeline, which would transport crude from the Canadian oil sands in Alberta to Nebraska and then onto the Gulf Coast via existing pipe, has increased from $5.4 billion to about $8 billion, according to TransCanada CEO Russ Girling.

The continued rise in projected costs due to the long delays of the Keystone XL is becoming frustrating for the company, according to Girling. “The review process for Keystone XL has been anything but a ‘well-established process.’ For decades the normal process to review and make a decision on an infrastructure project like Keystone takes two years. The review for our base Keystone pipeline took exactly this long just a few years ago. We are well over the six-year mark reviewing the final phase of Keystone with seemingly no end in sight. The bar continues to move again and again … To be clear this is just a pipeline. Not the first. Not the last—just a safe and reliable pipeline that delivers energy Americans need. It’s time to make a decision,” he said in a press release.