Staff reports

The U.S. State Department issued a presidential permit for the Keystone XL project, granting it approval for construction Friday morning.

The pipeline’s terminus is in Port Arthur.

“This is a significant milestone for the Keystone XL project,” Russ Girling, TransCanada’s president and chief executive officer, said in a video release Friday. “We greatly appreciate President Trump’s Administration for reviewing and approving this important initiative and we look forward to working with them as we continue to invest in and strengthen North America’s energy infrastructure.”

Chief executive officer for the Port Arthur EDC Floyd Batiste said it was a good thing for the City of Port Arthur.

“I think it’s going to be great for the community,” Batiste said. “It’s going to create jobs. Economically, it’s going to be great for the community.”

“It’s going to put a lot of people to work and going to be a big boost to the economy.”

According to a press release from GasBuddy Senior Canadian Petroleum Analysist Dan McTeague, “For Canadian oil producers, today’s decision by the U.S. President to overturn his predecessor’s veto and allow construction of the Keystone XL pipeline is welcomed news.

“The decision to allow Keystone XL’s construction isn’t about sending Canadian oil to waiting ships in the Gulf of Mexico, it is about ensuring U.S. refiners, who’ve invested in processing heavy oil, access to a reliable and abundant supply that responds to America’s energy needs.”