Helena, November 12 (RHC)-- A federal judge in the U.S. state of Montana has temporarily halted the construction of the controversial Keystone XL pipeline.  According to reports, the Keystone XL pipeline would carry oil from Canada’s tar sands region in Alberta to refineries as far away as the Gulf of Mexico. 

The court’s decision will require the Donald Trump administration to review more thoroughly the potential negative impacts of the pipeline on the surrounding environment and climate change.  Former President Obama halted the construction of the pipeline in 2015, following mass public protests, but Trump reversed the order shortly after he came into office. 

Environmental and indigenous groups have hailed the decision.  Sierra Club attorney Doug Hayes said in a statement: “The Trump administration tried to force this dirty pipeline project on the American people, but they can’t ignore the threats it would pose to our clean water, our climate, and our communities.” 

Reports from Washington say that it is unclear whether the Donald Trump administration will appeal the decision.