The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing on the contentious Keystone XL oil pipeline next week.

The hearing, announced Tuesday, will be the first one held by new Chairwoman Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska).

{mosads}Notice of the hearing comes as Republicans are gearing up to take control of the Senate.

Before the end of the 113th Congress, incoming Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said legislation approving the $8 billion oil sands project would be the first item brought to the floor by the GOP in January.

“The leader said that Keystone will be the first bill the Senate takes up and it will be open to amendments on the floor,” McConnell spokesman Michael Burmas told The Hill.

McConnell has yet to say when the first vote will be held.

The committee hearing on the Canada-to-Texas pipeline is scheduled for Jan. 7.