The Keystone XL pipeline has received two pieces of good news that might help the controversial project become reality in the US.

Keystone and other oilsands exporters narrowly avoided having their product labelled as dirty oil by the European Parliament.

The vote allows Canadian bitumen to enter refinery feedstocks without being singled out as having a much more intense carbon footprint.

Meanwhile, Republican legislators say the first order of business once they take control of Congress next month will be the controversial XL Pipeline that would carry Alberta bitumen to Texas.

Mitch McConnell leads the Republicans in the Senate. He says the US needs the jobs that Keystone would create. And he says no studies have concluded that Keystone presents a threat to the environment.

President Barack Obama’s reaction to any US legislation is still unclear. He could veto the bill, or sign it if it contains enough conditions to satisfy his concerns.