Democratic presidential frontrunner Hillary Clinton said Tuesday she opposes the Keystone XL pipeline, CNN reports.
"It is imperative that we look at the Keystone pipeline as what I believe it is, a distraction from important work we have to do on climate change," Clinton told a community forum in Des Moines, Iowa. "And, unfortunately from my perspective, one that interferes with our ability to move forward with all the other issues. Therefore I oppose it."
Clinton has been silent on the issue for years, but told the group she had kept quiet because she didn't want to interfere with the State Department's review.
But the process has dragged on for so long, Clinton said she decided she had to speak out,
Bloomberg reports.
"I thought this would be decided by now, and therefore I could tell you whether I agree or disagree," Clinton said. "But it hasn’t been decided and I feel now I’ve got a responsibility to you and to voters who ask me about this."
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