Pipeline protesters surround White House

Thousands of protesters opposed to a controversial pipeline project surrounded the White House yesterday.



Canadian company TransCanada is seeking permission to build the 1, 600-mile pipeline from Alberta to the Gulf coast in Texas.



Environmentalists are opposed to the project because of the method used for extracting petroleum from Alberta's oil sands.



They are also concerned about the risk of pollution on the pipeline route.



Environmental groups said extracting oil from the sands would generate huge greenhouse gas emissions, and that any accident on the route could be disastrous.



However, TransCanada said the protesters were ignoring the jobs the pipeline would create.



The decision as to whether to allow the project is fraught with political risk for US President Barack Obama.



Sources said if he rejects it, he could be accused of destroying jobs.



However, allowing it to go ahead could cost him the support of activists, who helped propel him to the White House.