Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton expresses opposition to Keystone XL Pipeline

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton on Tuesday expressed opposition to the controversial Keystone XL Pipeline during a campaign stop in Des Moines, Iowa, Tony Leys reports for The Des Moines Register. (Register photo by Zach Boyden-Holmes: Clinton greets supporters Tuesday in Des Moines)

Clinton, whose announcement drew loud cheers from 300 people at the event, "described the pipeline controversy as 'a distraction from the important work we have to do on climate change,'" Leys writes. "The State Department, which she led until 2013, has to decide whether to approve the project. The pipeline would bring Canadian oil into the U.S. Critics say that type of oil is particularly laden with chemicals that contribute to global warming. Supporters say the pipeline project would bring crucial jobs and economic development to the U.S." Pipeline bills passed the Republican-led House and Senate but was vetoed by President Obama.

Clinton "said that instead of building a new oil pipeline from Canada, she will propose working with Canada and Mexico to increase production and distribution of 'clean energy,' such as hydro-electric power," Leys writes. "She also said the U.S. needs to fix leaky pipelines already in place and deal with the dangers of oil-carrying railroads. She added that by far more jobs could be created by pursuing clean energy projects than would be created by building the Keystone pipeline."

"Her main Democratic opponents, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley, came out against the project months ago," Leys writes. Clinton said she waited to officially oppose the pipeline to give President Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry space to make a decision about the pipeline before she publicly took a stance. Many Republican presidential candidates have expressed support for the pipeline. (Read more)