State department approves border-crossing permit for keystone pipeline.

• Author: Crook, John R.

Among the U.S. Department of State's lesser-known functions is issuing permits for pipelines, bridges, and other structures crossing the United States' physical boundaries. The president's authority to approve border crossings by pipelines has been delegated to the department. (4) In March 2008, the department approved a permit authorizing a transboundary crude-oil pipeline to cross the border in Cavalier County, North Dakota. The line, being built by TransCanada Keystone Pipeline LP, will carry crude oil from Alberta to Illinois. Excerpts from department's announcement follow:

On March 14, the Department of State issued a Presidential Permit authorizing TransCanada Keystone Pipeline LP to construct, operate and maintain facilities related to the Keystone crude oil pipeline project. The Keystone pipeline will extend 1,300 miles from the Canadian border through the U.S. Midwest. When fully operational, the Keystone pipeline is anticipated to increase U.S. oil imports from Canada by an amount equivalent to as much as 4.5 percent of total U.S. daily imports. Canada is the United States' largest supplier of oil, natural gas, and electricity. The Department has determined that issuance of the permit to...