Article content

President Barack Obama has vetoed a bill that would have approved construction of the privately funded Canadian Keystone XL oil pipeline.

The White House sent notice of the veto to the Senate on Tuesday, shortly after the bill was received at the White House.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Obama vetoes Keystone XL pipeline bill Back to video

First proposed in 2008, the pipeline, if approved, would connect Canada’s oilsands to Gulf Coast refineries.

Calgary-based TransCanada Corp. (TSX:TRP) is the pipeline project’s developer.

Republicans in the United States and the energy industry say the $8 billion project would create jobs, spur growth and increase America’s independence from Mideast energy sources.

Democrats in the United States and environmental groups have sought to make the pipeline a poster child for the type of dirty energy sources they say is exacerbating global warming.

Obama’s move sends the politically charged issue back to Congress, where Republicans have yet to show they can muster the two-thirds majority in both chambers needed to override Obama’s veto.

— With files from The Canadian Press