For six years and with several government studies recommending that the Keystone XL Pipeline be allowed to be built, President Obama has repeatedly punted on the question. Until last week, the White House was clinging to what appeared to be its last excuse for failing to issue a decision.

“There continues to be an outstanding question about the route of the pipeline through one part of Nebraska,” White House spokesman Josh Earnest recently noted. “Once that is resolved, that should speed the completion of the evaluation of that project.”