Sec. Clinton avoids stating position on Keystone XL pipeline

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton testified before the U.S. Senate on Wednesday and was asked about her position on the Keystone XL pipeline, but deferred comment because her agency is tasked with making a decision on whether to approve the project.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says she is “generally supportive” of increasing American oil imports from Canada, but sidestepped questions Wednesday about whether she backs a controversial new oilsands pipeline from Alberta to Texas.

Clinton, testifying before the Senate appropriations committee, said it would be improper for her to take sides in the debate over Calgary-based TransCanada’s Keystone XL project because her department makes the decision on whether to grant a permit for its construction.

“Since my department bears the ultimate responsibility for making a recommendation on the pipeline, I am not able to express an opinion,” said Clinton.

This is in stark contrast to comments she made last October, when she said that she was “inclined” to support the project and “probably not” willing to reconsider her position.