A Nebraska judge’s decision throwing out the Keystone XL pipeline route in the state may push President Barack Obama ’s final decision on the contested project until after the midterm congressional elections. Judge Stephanie Stacy in Lincoln yesterday invalidated legislation that let Republican Governor Dave Heineman approve the route and bypass the state Public Service Commission. TransCanada Corp. (TRP) will need commission approval, a process that by state law can take seven months. The judge’s decision gives Obama a reason to delay a politically sensitive decision that could roil Democratic plans to keep control of the Senate. Democrats seeking re-election in Republican states, such as Mary Landrieu of Louisiana and Mark Begich of Alaska , want Obama to approve Keystone. Putting off a decision lets Obama avoid angering voters in energy-rich states if he decides to back environmentalists and reject the project. Former hedge-fund manager Tom Steyer said he […]