True, and many Pubbies want to attach it to other appropriation bills funding other departments and agencies. However, the White House says that is unacceptable and will fight for "clean" bills. Boehner and McConnell will say "yesir" and cave like they did yesterday on the DHS funding.
What I don't understand is why they don't construct the northern portion from Cushing to North Dakota and leave the Canadian portion for later. There is plenty of oil leaving the Balken by rail car that likely could be sent by the pipeline.
Time to do that. They can leave the border crossing mile undone...
Because you don't spend billions of dollars on a pipeline that cannot operate. You cannot get permits for construction without the ability to build the entire line.
Common carries are DOT regulated for price of transportation. To get the permits to build the line they have an open season where companies make agreements to supply oil for transport if the line is built. Those agreements are from Alberta.
Remember, TransCanada is not an oil company. They don't own the oil. They move the oil owned by others, operating somewhat like a rail line.