Secretary of State John Kerry has made his first public comments on the proposed Keystone XL pipeline since replacing Hillary Clinton earlier this month. Known for being a strong advocate for the environment while serving in the Senate, Kerry will carry out President Obama’s decision on whether to approve the massive oil pipeline critics warn will bring climate catastrophe. Speaking alongside Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird, Kerry vowed a decision in the “near term.”

Secretary of State John Kerry: “With respect to the Keystone, Secretary Clinton has put in place a very open and transparent process, which I am committed to seeing through. I can guarantee you that it will be fair and transparent, accountable, and we hope that we will be able to be in a position to make an announcement in the near term. I don’t want to pin down precisely when, but I assure you, in the near term.”