The State Department has approved the Keystone XL oil pipeline, an Illinois Congressman says it’s good news for the nation and our local workers. The permit was issued Friday morning, giving the official green-light for the project that has been the center of a political tog-of-war for nearly a decade.

While TransCanada now has the blessing of the government, it must still come to agreements with landowners, gain state permits, and face possible court challenges. Mike Bost, a Republican from the 12th district says this approval was the last major regulatory hurdle to getting the project moving.

Bost tells says pipelines are the safest way to move crude oil.

The only remaining holdup now appears to be in Nebraska, where the pipeline still does not have a legal route through the state. Bost believes that situation will be rectified fairly quickly.