TransCanada CEO: Keystone oil sands pipeline ‘absolutely’ will happen

TransCanada CEO Russ Girling, who is locked in a battle with environmentalists over his company’s planned Keystone XL oil sands pipeline, is pretty confident he’ll win the Obama administration’s blessing for the project.

Girling tells the program energyNOW! airing this weekend that the proposed $7 billion, 1,70mile pipeline connecting Alberta’s oil sands to Texas refineries is “absolutely” going to happen.

Their piece is available online here.

The State Department last month took a major step toward federal approval of the pipeline that could carry up to 830,000 barrels per day. But federal officials insist they haven’t made up their minds yet, and a final decision is expected by year's end.

Backers, including prominent Republicans and industry groups, call it a way to increase energy security and create jobs. Opponents say expanded reliance on Canada's greenhouse gas-intensive oil sands projects is a bad choice, and also say the project will endanger groundwater in states along the route.

Girling’s comments are among the multiple views in the segment. Others include Steven Chu, who appears to signal his support for the project.

The energyNOW! reporters also traveled to Nebraska, where some landowners are battling the Keystone XL project, and Alberta for a closer look at the oil sands.