Trump approves ‘Keystone Light’ pipeline, reviving cross-border oil push

President Donald Trump has granted key approval for a major new oil pipeline from Canada into the United States, a project informally dubbed “Keystone Light” due to its resemblance to the scrapped Keystone XL pipeline.

The proposed Bridger Pipeline Expansion would span roughly 650 miles, transporting up to 550,000 barrels of crude oil per day from Canada through Montana and Wyoming, where it would connect with existing infrastructure. Despite the federal approval, the project still requires additional state and environmental clearances before construction can begin—something developers aim to start next year.

At full capacity, the pipeline would carry about two-thirds the volume once planned for Keystone XL, which was halted in 2021 by Joe Biden over climate concerns. Trump contrasted his stance with that of his predecessor, signaling a renewed push for fossil fuel infrastructure.

Unlike Keystone XL, the new route would avoid Native American reservations. According to the developer, more than 70% of the pipeline would follow existing corridors, and around 80% would run across private land. The line is expected to transport various crude grades, including oil sands output from Canada, for refining or export in the US. The permit also allows flexibility to carry refined fuels such as gasoline and diesel.

The project has drawn opposition from environmental groups including Montana Environmental Information Center and WildEarth Guardians, who warn of spill risks and broader climate impacts. Critics point to past incidents involving pipeline affiliates, including significant oil spills in Montana, North Dakota and Wyoming, which led to millions of dollars in penalties.

Company officials say safety measures have improved since those incidents, citing new AI-based leak detection systems and plans to install pipeline segments deep beneath major rivers like the Yellowstone and Missouri to reduce accident risks.

If completed on schedule—targeted between late 2028 and early 2029—the project could be largely insulated from future political reversals. Still, legal and environmental challenges are expected to shape its path forward.