President Obama denied the Keystone XL permit application based on a recommendation from the State Department that it did not have enough time to vet alternative pipeline routes before the February 21st approval deadline imposed by Congress in the payroll tax extension legislation. While the current Keystone XL application has been denied, the administration will allow TransCanada to reapply for a permit after it develops an alternative route around the Nebraska Sandhills. On the same day as the President’s announcement, the House Energy and Commerce Committee responded by scheduling a hearing on January 25, 2012 regarding legislation introduced by Nebraska Congressman Lee Terry to transfer permitting approval authority over the Keystone XL pipeline project to FERC, H.R. 3548. The Committee also invited Secretary of State Hilary Clinton to testify on the State Department’s final Environmental Impact Statement. Click here for the text of H.R. 3548.