The report sets up a difficult decision for Secretary of State John Kerry, who now must make a recommendation on the international project to Mr. Obama.
President Obama said in June that he would sign off on the proposal only if it “does not significantly exacerbate the climate problem.”
Environmentalists said that if Mr. Obama were to approve the pipeline, it would destroy his efforts to make progress on climate change.
The WH is making the decision period. The Kerry "review" is just a way to delay a decision. This is a political decision that will be made solely in the WH.
While lots of lame stream media write it up that way. The Presidential Permit is actually issued by the State Department.
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/dpb/2014/02/221643.htm#KEYSTONEXL
So this environmental impact statement is only one factor that the Secretary will take into account as he weighs many other elements in making a decision. Obviously, for the Secretary, climate and environmental priorities are part of his decision making, quite frankly. So again, we’ve talked a lot publicly about it. That’s where the process is right now, that there is this document that has been put out. Agencies have 90 days, public has 30 days, and the Secretary will take into account all of that as he makes a decision.
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http://www.state.gov/e/enr/applicant/index.htm
The Secretary of State has the authority to issue Presidential Permits for cross-border liquid (water as well as petroleum product) pipelines and other cross-border infrastructure. The Bureau of Energy Resources Office of Energy Diplomacy receives and processes permit applications.