Members of the Cowboy and Indian Alliance, including Native American tribal leaders and non-native farmers and ranchers from across the United States, march down Independence Avenue while demonstrating against the proposed Keystone XL pipeline April 22, 2014, in Washington. (Credit: Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images)
Critics, including environmental groups, say the pipeline will have minimal economic benefits and warn that a spill could have a disastrous environmental impact, but supporters argue the pipeline is safer and more eco-friendly than transporting oil by rail.
Republicans point to the State Department report saying Keystone would create 42,000 jobs during the two years of construction.
Obama acknowledged there was room for energy cooperation beyond Keystone, insisting "our energy sector is booming. And I'm happy to engage Republicans with additional ideas for how we can enhance that."
Congressman Fred Upton, who chairs the House Energy Committee, this year unveiled an energy "architecture of abundance" that would include a new modern energy infrastructure and expanded gas operations, like fracking in shale deposits.
Christopher Klyza, professor of environmental studies at Middlebury College, said environmental groups will go all out to convince Obama to block Keystone.
But "in the end I don't think he will go to the mat over this," Klyza told AFP.
"He is much more likely to protect the Environmental Protection Agency's climate change rules from congressional attacks."
Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2014
