(CNN) — Hillary Clinton said Tuesday she opposes the controversial Keystone XL pipeline, taking sides with progressives who oppose the 1,179-mile project over environmental concerns.
Clinton, speaking at a community forum in Des Moines, Iowa, told the audience she waited to weigh in on the decision because she did not want to interfere with an ongoing review conducted by the State Department.
“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 said. “And unfortunately from my perspective, one that interferes with our ability to move forward with all the other issues. Therefore I oppose it. ”
Clinton had not previously disclosed her position on the campaign trail. She made the announcement as Pope Francis arrived in the United States.
