Hip Hip Hillaraaaaaaay – Hillary Clinton and the Keystone Pipeline

This afternoon former Secretary of State and current Democratic candidate for the Presidency Hillary Clinton announced her opposition to the controversial Keystone XL Pipeline.  While explaining her reasoning, Secretary Clinton remarked, “I think 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.”

This is quite a victory, and not just because the front runner for the Democratic nomination is taking a stance for our climate. It’s also a victory because previously Clinton indicated she was “inclined” to approve the pipeline, which has appropriately been described as a “climate killer.” It just goes to show you, as 350.org founder Bill McKibben said in an email today, “this organizing stuff appears to work…we should try it more often.” Even Clinton aides admitted that the immense pressure she felt from various environmental groups to take a stance on Keystone played a part in her decision.

Now that Clinton has made her stance known, we must keep organizing, mobilizing and pressuring President Obama to kill KXL once and for all. It’s time for the President to show he understands that an “all of the above” energy strategy is not tenable. Climate leaders must be consistent with their commitment to fighting climate disruption by promulgating policies that do the same. Clean Power Plans and incentives for solar power in low-wealth/communities of color are perfunctory drops in the bucket if at the same time Arctic drilling permits are granted and climate killing pipeline permits are approved. The President can’t laud Pope Francis’ encyclical and allow Keystone to be built without appearing uncommitted and contradictory. In short, true climate champions know that when it comes to this pipe(line) you JUST SAY NO.

President Obama has an opportunity to demonstrate if he’s a true climate champion or just a CLINO, that is, Climate Leader In Name Only. Click here to add your name to the growing coalition of citizens opposed to this dangerous and dirty pipeline, and stay tuned for more information about how to get involved with pressuring the president to do the right thing.