Court Upholds Ruling that Bars Keystone XL Pipeline Work

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — A federal appeals court has upheld a Montana judge's ruling barring construction of the Keystone XL oil pipeline from Canada.

TransCanada had asked the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to put the ruling from U.S. District Judge Brian Morris on hold while its appeal is pending, and allow the Calgary-based company to begin building the pipeline.

In a Friday ruling, a two-judge panel said Morris carefully considered all factors in his decision to prevent the company from working on the proposed 1,184-mile (1,900 kilometer) pipeline from Alberta to Nebraska.

TransCanada attorneys had said an injunction issued by Morris in November could cause it to miss the 2019 construction season.

Morris allowed TransCanada to perform some activities outside the pipeline's right-of-way, including the construction of pipe storage yards.