Keystone XL Delayed For Re-Routing In Nebraska

The permit for the Keystone XL is being delayed while officials look at re-routing the pipeline in Nebraska.

The U.S. State Department says the permit likely won't be approved until 2013 because of the changes to the route.

But, South Dakota Republican Senator John Thune, who supports the project, believes the pipeline permit is being delayed so President Obama doesn't have to make a decision before the 2012 election.

"This issue, the Keystone Pipeline, splits the President's base,” Thune said. “He's got labor unions in support of building the pipeline. He's got environmental groups that are opposed to it. Those are both groups that he needs going into his re-election in 2012. I think you can't call this anything but what it is, which is purely and simply a politically motivated decision."

The state department originally said it would make a decision by the end of this year but has pushed the deadline back to spring of 2013.