Biden has been clear in the past about his opposition to Keystone as part of a larger mandate to combat climate change. That publicly reported memo from Klain did not mention Keystone XL, but cautioned that the memo was not a complete list of planned actions.

Other entries under the "Climate" heading include, "Rejoin the Paris Agreement" and "Announce date for US-hosted Leaders' Climate Summit". Mr. Kenney has seemed for so long to be a tool of the oil industry that he may have trouble winning serious attention in Mr. Biden's Washington.

In her statement, Hillman said that per-barrel oil sands greenhouse gas emissions "have dropped 31% since 2000, and innovation will continue to drive progress".

First proposed in 2008, the pipeline has become emblematic of the tensions between economic development and curbing the fossil fuel emissions that are causing climate change.

Two other export pipeline projects, the Canadian government-owned Trans Mountain Expansion and Enbridge Inc Line 3 replacement, are proceeding, however, reducing the need for KXL.

"The United States government owes Canada the respect to at least sit down with us and talk about this vital project in the broader context", said Kenney, whose government gave the project a $1.5-billion infusion past year.

This fight isn't over, at least not from Alberta's perspective.

"We renew our call on the incoming administration to show respect for Canada as the United States' most important trading partner and strategic ally by keeping that commitment to engage, and to allow Canada to make the case for strengthening cooperation on energy, the environment, and the economy through this project".

"Canadian oil is produced under strong environmental and climate policy frameworks, and this project will not only strengthen the vital Canada-U.S energy relationship, but create thousands of good jobs for workers on both sides of the border", he said.

CBC and CTV cited sources and notes from Biden's transition team that indicate he will rescind the permit via executive order following his inauguration on Wednesday. Kenney said the province could be on the hook for about $1 billion if the project were to end right now.

He will also return the USA to the Paris climate agreement - a global pact on cutting carbon emissions - reversing another decision by Mr Trump, who took the United States out of the accord on 4 November previous year.

Kenney added that Keystone represents 40,000 jobs in the USA, and $3 billion in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and said the choice is that the US takes environmentally responsible energy from a close ally, or it gets it from Venezuela and other OPEC dictatorships.

"To me, this is an effective cancellation of the project".

The Canadian leg of the pipeline has been under construction for months with almost 200 kilometres of pipes installed, including across the US-Canada border.

In his 2020 run for president, Biden vowed to scrap its permit once elected.

The news drew praise, however, from Biden's former rival, Sen.

"We don't have a decision from the Biden administration at this point".

"It's time for Canadian politicians to stop beating this dead horse and get on with building a clean energy future", said Keith Stewart, Greenpeace Canada's senior energy strategist.