In a bid to enhance the nation's authority as a global leader in fighting against climate change, President Barack Obama rejected the proposed construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline, saying the project would not make a "meaningful long-term contribution" to the country's economy.
Rejecting the Keystone XL signifies triumph for groups of environmentalists who fought against the planned project for over seven years.
"The pipeline would not lower gas prices for American consumers," explains President Obama, adding shipping "dirtier crude oil" to the U.S. would not boast the nation's energy security.
The project would have carried crude from Alberta and North Dakota to Illinois, and to the Gulf of Mexico coast.
This latest move of the U.S. government is seen as part of its effort to strengthen its position in leading the global climate talks, slated to kick off on Nov. 30.
The sponsored talks are aimed to bind countries of the United Nations in limiting greenhouse emissions.
To date, over 150 countries have already expressed their intentions in spelling out each of their strategies in trimming down emissions, which include big countries, such as the U.S., Canada and India.
Way back 2008, TransCanada initially sought the needed presidential permit to pursue the project. This, however, ignited environmental activism to combat climate change.
Co-founder of the environmental group 350.org Bill McKibben said that the government's move is a huge win, adding that the President's decision "is nothing short of historic, and sets an important precedent that should send shockwaves through the fossil fuel industry."
Meanwhile, Justin Trudeau, the new Prime Minister of Canada and a Keystone supporter, expressed dissatisfaction on President Obama's decision, but ensured that the relationship between the two nations "is much bigger than any other project." He added that he is looking forward to a new start with the U.S. President in hopes to make the nations' notable ties stronger.
President Obama, in the meantime, disclosed that senior members of the U.S. team will collaborate with officials of Canada in the coming weeks to heighten the cooperation between the two countries toward an array of issues, including climate change and energy.
