Carried in a safe mode of transport
Obama questioned the pipeline's economic value to the U.S. economy and said he'll judge the plan on its environmental merits.
Prentice says Obama's comments are consistent with what he's said in the past and he is going to have to work with Congress for the next year.
The premier says if it comes down to environmental merits, he is confident the project will pass.
"This issue here really is whether or not Canadian oil is going to be carried to the Gulf Coast by pipeline. We know it's making its way already because it's an integrated North American marketplace," Prentice said before the start of the Progressive Conservative Party's annual convention Friday.
"A lot of it's being carried by rail so the real question is whether the president and Congress want it carried in a safe mode of transport, which is also the most efficient mode which is a pipeline."
Prentice also disputes that Keystone would only be beneficial to Canada. He said Canada and the United States have had a long history of sharing, especially when it comes to the oil and gas sector.