Mike Linder , director of the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality , told CNN last month that it will take at least six months for the state to fully review the alternate route proposed by TransCanada . NEW : Congress and the oil lobby agree on the need for further review of the project . The pipeline has become a political issue in a U.S. election year . Republicans accused the Obama administration of stalling the project . Federal and state officials say it will take years to decide on the new funding request .
NEW : Congress and the oil lobby agree on the need for further review of the project . The pipeline has become a political issue in a U.S. election year . Republicans accused the Obama administration of stalling the project . Federal and state officials say it will take years to decide on the new funding request .