USA TODAY — The Obama administration on Friday extended the review period on the Keystone XL pipeline, perhaps pushing back a final decision on the disputed project until after the Nov. 4 congressional elections.

The State Department announced that officials need more time to review some 2.5 million public comments, and to assess the impact of a pending lawsuit in Nebraska that could change the route of the pipeline.

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Republicans (and some Democrats) who support the pipeline denounced the delay — placing the blame on President Obama — while environmental groups hailed it as a sign that the project will not move forward.