Judge Allows TransCanada to Continue Planning Pipeline

A Montana judge says a Canadian company may continue preliminary work on the proposed Keystone XL oil pipeline while his order blocking construction is in effect.

U.S. District Judge Brian Morris said Wednesday he will clarify his Nov. 8 injunction to allow TransCanada to conduct engineering and planning activities, confirm shipper contracts, meet with different groups and acquire equipment, permits and land rights.

On Nov. 8, Morris blocked TransCanada’s permit to build the pipeline from Alberta’s oil sands through a half-dozen U.S. states to the Gulf of Mexico.

The judge ordered a new environmental review after saying the Trump administration had not fully considered the effects of the pipeline.

TransCanada had argued it wants to keep that preliminary work on schedule so that it can be prepared to start pipeline construction as early as mid-February if approved.