U.S. President-elect Joe Biden plans to cancel the controversial Keystone XL pipeline project between Canada and the United States by a presidential decree upon his inauguration on January 20, Canadian channels CBC and CTV said on Sunday (January 17th).
Both channels report briefing notes from Joe Biden's transition team to industry players, saying the cancellation of the pipeline permit will be part of the measures the Democratic president is due to announce on the day. when he takes office.
Read also: United States: the imbroglio on the Keystone oil pipeline continues
The project by the Canadian group TC Energy, worth some 8 billion US dollars (6.6 billion euros), is to transport more than 800,000 barrels of oil per day, over nearly 2,000 kilometers, between the Canadian province of Alberta and US refineries in the Gulf of Mexico.
Launched in 2008, the pipeline extension project was blocked by former President Barack Obama, then authorized by his successor Donald Trump.
It is criticized by environmentalists because of its impact on greenhouse gas emissions.
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney, who supports the project, said in a tweet,
"extremely concerned"
by reports that Joe Biden could cancel it as early as Wednesday.
This province is in the midst of an economic slump with the collapse of oil prices, notably as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
For his part, the leader of the Conservative Party (opposition) Erin O'Toole estimated, in a statement, that such a decision would
"devastate thousands of Canadian families already hard hit by the economic crisis"
.
He called on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to
"communicate immediately with the new US administration to prevent this from happening"
and to
"stand up for workers across Canada"
.