Trump approves Keystone XL pipeline, hails 'great day'

True to his pledge, President Donald Trump gave final approval on Friday for TransCanada to build the controversial Keystone XL oil pipeline, overriding environmental concerns in favor of boosting jobs and energy supply.

"It's a great day for American jobs and a historic moment for North America and energy independence," Trump said at the White House.

He also promised to call the governor of Nebraska to help the company secure the necessary construction permits.

But the project continues to face stiff opposition from environmental groups.

Barack Obama blocked the project, first proposed in 2008, due to environmental concerns, but Trump says the pipeline will create thousands of jobs and provide affordable energy.

During the US presidential campaign, Trump repeatedly promised to approve the pipeline, and one of his first acts after taking office in January was to give a conditional go-ahead, as well as approving the controversial Dakota Access pipeline that was subject to months of mass protests.

The projects are all part of his plan to boost the economy, improve infrastructure, slash regulations and reduce government interference he says is hindering business.

But the jobs promise is subject to dispute. The State Department estimated that the US portion of the pipeline would create 42,000 temporary jobs over a two-year construction period, but opponents note that less than 50 permanent jobs would be created for pipeline maintenance.

Keystone XL is an expansion of TransCanada's existing system to funnel bitumen from Alberta's oil sands to refineries on the US Gulf Coast.