Gingrich says he'd authorize Keystone pipeline on 'day one'

GOP White House hopeful Newt Gingrich said Tuesday that if elected, he wouldn’t waste any time reversing President Obama’s decision to reject a permit for the proposed Keystone XL oil sands pipeline.

Gingrich, who is struggling to gain ground against front-runner Mitt Romney, said he would issue an executive order on “day one” that directs the State Department to permit TransCanada Corp.’s pipeline, which would bring oil from Alberta’s tar sands projects to Gulf Coast refineries.

His proposed executive order would declare that no further federal environmental review is needed, and that a permit shall be granted if the secretary of State concludes the project is in the “national interest.”

The former House Speaker’s promotion of the plan shows again that Republicans see a political opening against Obama following his rejection of Keystone XL.

Pipeline advocates — including Republicans, major business groups and some unions — call the project a way to create jobs and boost energy security.

Environmentalists bitterly oppose the project over greenhouse gas emissions and other ecological damage from Alberta’s oil sands projects, as well as fears of spills along the route.

Romney also supports the pipeline, an issue that has shot to the top of Republicans’ agenda on Capitol Hill.

House Republicans plan to attach provisions requiring a pipeline permit to major transportation legislation heading to the floor next week, while Senate GOP leaders are also pushing to overturn Obama’s decision.

Additionally, lawmakers are eyeing inclusion of Keystone provisions in legislation to further extend the payroll tax cut.

Obama last month said he was not rejecting the permit on the merits of the issue, but because Republicans demanded a deadline that would have short-circuited review.

He also invited TransCanada to reapply.