President Donald Trump has announced that he wants to see the Keystone XL Pipeline built and is promising to make the regulatory process easier for the project if he returns to office. In a recent social media post, Trump urged the company that had initially been behind the pipeline’s construction, TC Energy, to "come back to America," stressing that under his leadership, approvals would be streamlined, and the project could begin almost immediately.

The Keystone XL Pipeline, first proposed in 2008, was designed to transport crude oil extracted from Canada's tar sands in Alberta to U.S. refineries, specifically in Nebraska. When it was first introduced, the project was met with significant opposition from environmental groups, who argued that it would contribute to climate change and hinder the U.S.'s efforts to transition to cleaner energy.

Despite these concerns, Trump approved the permit for the pipeline during his administration in 2017, arguing that it would create jobs and boost the economy by enabling the transport of oil to U.S. markets. The project, however, was continually delayed due to legal challenges and opposition from activists and local landowners.

Trump's push for the pipeline's revival comes after the Biden administration moved to halt its construction. Former President Joe Biden, a strong proponent of combating climate change, revoked the pipeline's permit shortly after taking office in 2021, citing concerns about its environmental impact and the country's shift toward cleaner energy alternatives. Biden had made canceling the project a key part of his presidential campaign, and his administration acted swiftly to reverse Trump's approval.

In his recent remarks, Trump criticized the Biden administration for its decision, positioning his own approach as more business-friendly and supportive of U.S. energy independence. "The Trump Administration is very different. Easy approvals, almost immediate start!" Trump stated in his post, highlighting his administration’s pro-business stance and willingness to approve energy projects that he believes are in the best interests of the country.

At the same time, TC Energy, the company initially behind the pipeline, underwent a restructuring in October 2024, spinning off its oil pipeline operations into a separate company, South Bow Energy (SOBO). This move raises questions about whether South Bow Energy or another pipeline company might take up the mantle of completing the controversial project.

Environmentalists and Indigenous leaders have remained vocal in their opposition to the Keystone XL Pipeline, citing concerns over the environmental degradation that could result from the pipeline's construction.