The Calgary company behind the long-delayed Keystone X-L pipeline denies the U.S. presidential election was a factor when it asked the review of the project be suspended.

Outgoing President Barack Obama is not a fan of the project and if the State Department process is put on hold long enough, a more friendly Republican may be in the White House by the time the review’s done.

But TransCanada CEO Russ Girling insists that was not part of the thinking in asking the State Department to pause while a separate regulatory process in Nebraska over the pipeline’s route is worked out.

But Josh Earnest describe’s the request as unusual.

The White House spokesperson says the Obama administration is still evaluating the request to temporarily suspend the application process.

The answer Earnest adds will come from the State Department.