The White House today dismissed as "unnecessary" a bill set for House consideration tomorrow that would set a deadline for a final decision on the $7 billion U.S.-Canada Keystone XL pipeline.

In a statement of administration policy this afternoon, the Obama administration stood behind the existing environmental review now in its final stages at the State Department and noted that the executive order governing that process was signed by a Republican president, George W. Bush.

"[The State Department] has been working diligently to complete the permit decision process for the Keystone XL pipeline and has publicly committed to reaching a decision before December 31, 2011," the White House wrote, adding that "the bill conflicts with long-standing executive branch procedures ... and could prevent the thorough consideration of complex issues which could have serious security, safety, environmental, and other ramifications."

The bill, authored by Rep. Lee Terry (R-Neb.), would set a deadline for a permitting decision on Keystone XL of Nov. 1 or 30 days following the issuance of a final environmental review. Existing rules allow 90 days for other federal agencies -- such as U.S. EPA, which has criticized State's review twice in recent months -- to weigh in on that final impact statement before a decision can occur.

The bill is considered likely to pass before stalling in the Senate, but industry and green groups are both working today to shape their political messaging on the outcome. Environmentalists and the American Petroleum Institute have scheduled dueling briefings for tomorrow, while the U.S. Chamber of Commerce today released a "key vote" letter urging House members to back the measure.

"[T]his legislation would provide industry and labor a definitive approval deadline, ending more than two years of federal consideration and an endless stream of delays," the U.S. Chamber wrote.

Click here to read the White House statement.