CALGARY - The head of TransCanada Corp. (TRP.TO) says the company has been "very encouraged" by discussions with potential shippers in recent weeks on the proposed Keystone XL pipeline.

Speaking at an investor day in Toronto, Russ Girling says the company expects to secure enough binding commitments from shippers to advance the project.

The comments come a week after Keystone XL project cleared its last major regulatory hurdle when the Nebraska Public Service Commission approved a route for the pipeline, though not the one preferred by TransCanada.

Girling did not provide any more insight into how approval of the more eastern alternative route through the state may affect the project, saying only that the company continues to review the decision and its implications on cost and schedules.

In a motion dated Nov. 24, TransCanada requested that the commission reconsider its order that approved the alternative route for the pipeline.

A company spokesman said Monday that the motion is to address questions raised in the decision, and not a request to have the route itself reconsidered.