Hillary Clinton Publicly Denounces The Keystone XL Pipeline, Three Years Short Of Bernie Sanders
Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton has finally spoken out against the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline. On Tuesday, Clinton stated the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline is an interference with the work being done on climate change, as explained by NPR.
Clinton said, “I think it is imperative that we look at the Keystone XL pipeline as what I believe it is, a distraction from the important work we have to do to combat climate change, and, unfortunately from my perspective, one that interferes with our ability to move forward and deal with other issues”.
“Therefore, I oppose it. I oppose it because I don’t think it’s in the best interest of what we need to do to combat climate change.”
Hillary Clinton’s public denouncement of the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline came as Pope Francis made his first visit to the United States, where he is set to address Congress on issues such as climate change.
Time to invest in a clean energy future—not build a pipeline to carry our continent’s dirtiest fuel across the US. I oppose Keystone XL. -H
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 23, 2015
Despite remaining silent on the issue for months, Hillary Clinton has drawn praise from progressives for her opposition to the Keystone XL pipeline. Bernie Sanders also spoke out against the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline — three years ago.
In a statement in 2012 praising President Obama’s decision to reject the construction of an oil pipeline from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico, Sanders said, “The president made the correct decision today in rejecting the Keystone XL pipeline, and I will fight to ensure Congress does not overturn the decision. In my view, this tar sands pipeline is a bad deal for the country and for our planet, and the president has acted in the best interest of the American people in saying no to Keystone XL.”
In the past, Senator Sanders had been critical of Hillary Clinton’s silence on the Keystone XL pipeline construction.
I’m glad that @HillaryClinton finally has made a decision on the Keystone XL pipeline and I welcome her opposition.
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) September 22, 2015
“As a senator who has vigorously opposed the Keystone pipeline from the beginning, I am glad that Secretary Clinton finally has made a decision and I welcome her opposition to the pipeline. Clearly it would be absurd to encourage the extraction and transportation of some of the dirtiest fossil fuel on the planet.”
In a recent CNN poll, Hillary Clinton is maintaining a firm lead ahead of Bernie Sanders. The lead could be much greater for Hillary Clinton should Vice President Joe Biden decide against running for President.
[Photo by Scott Eisen/Getty Images]
