Keystone ‘small aspect’ of total US energy picture, Obama says

President Obama on Wednesday called the Keystone XL just “one small aspect” of the U.S. energy picture, seeking to quell excitement that a new GOP majority could corner him on the pipeline.

When asked what he would do if Republicans try to push through approval of the oil sands pipeline now that there is a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate in favor of the project, Obama said his plan hasn’t changed.

{mosads}“There is an independent process, it’s moving forward and I’m going to let it play out,” Obama said of the State Department’s permitting process for Keystone, which is currently in limbo.

“Let’s keep in mind this is Canadian oil, this is not U.S. oil,” he said.

“We have seen some of biggest increases in some of America’s oil production and natural gas production in our history. We are closer to energy independence than we have ever been before, or at least in decades.”

“So Keystone XL I just consider one small aspect of the broader trend that is really positive for the American people,” Obama said.

He added that he would be “happy” to work with the GOP on additional ideas for how the U.S. can “enhance” the booming energy sector.

Obama did not say if he would veto a Republican-sponsored bill on the project, though its proponents remain shy of a veto-proof majority in the Senate.