President Obama will probably avoid a mention of the Keystone XL pipeline project during his State of the Union speech on Tuesday. But he needs to make a decision on giving the green light on the project soon.

Jeff Mason: “For Obama, a decision in favor of the pipeline could undermine the Democratic president’s environmental credentials and anger activists who have supported him just as his administration is writing new rules to reduce heat-trapping carbon dioxide emissions from power plants.”

“A decision against the pipeline could undercut Obama’s pledge to boost employment and U.S. energy security while alienating an important international ally and oil supplier.”

“All 45 Republican U.S. senators urged Obama on Friday to end the delays and noted in a letter that he had told them in March that a decision would be made before the end of 2013.”

“A senior administration official said the president viewed the issue as one that had become disproportionately symbolic and super-charged for both sides. He does not believe it is the job creator that its backers suggest or the environmental nemesis that its objectors fear, the official said.”

Crossposted at Wonk Wire
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