Re: FOR REVIEW: LCV Questionnaire

Q.6 – Keystone XL Tar Sands Pipeline: The Keystone XL tar sands pipeline would transfer Canadian tar sands oil through the American heartland to be exported at an international shipping port on the Gulf of Mexico. The pipeline is not a credible jobs plan, as it would create only 35 permanent jobs. Since oil companies plan to export much of the oil, it would not improve our energy security, but it would worsen climate change and present major risks to public health and farmers. Tar sands oil production yields significantly greater carbon pollution compared with traditional crude oil – at a time when we need to be reducing those emissions to avoid the national security and environmental risks of climate change. Moreover, the company behind Keystone XL has a very poor safety record, and any spills would present a serious threat to our air, drinking water, and agricultural lands because tar sands oil is more toxic – and harder to clean up – than conventional crude. Do you oppose the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline and will you consider the climate change impacts of all future cross-border pipelines?

I oppose the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline. Keystone XL points us toward an energy future that puts the United States and our global climate at even greater risk, and it is not the right choice for our environment, our energy system, or our economy.

As President, I will build a clean, secure, and affordable North American energy future through my comprehensive strategy to modernize American energy infrastructure and forge a North American Climate Compact to cut carbon pollution across the continent, unleash billions in investment, deliver reliable and affordable energy, protect the health and safety of our families and communities, and create good-paying jobs and careers. My North American Climate Compact will ensure new energy infrastructure, including cross-border pipelines, are consistent with our climate goals and the clean energy economy we need to create.

This includes using my Clean Energy Challenge to boost low-carbon electricity, improve building efficiency, and make our cars and trucks cheaper to fuel and cleaner to operate; strengthening national pipeline safety regulations and partnering with pipeline operators, local regulators, and technology providers in repairing and replacing thousands of miles of the country’s oldest pipes; and speeding up the retirement of the oldest and riskiest train cars that transport oil, repairing track defects, and providing first responders and the public better information about oil and hazardous materials passing through their communities.  

In doing so, we will build a future where the United States will once again lead the world by constructing state-of-the-art infrastructure, creating new jobs and new markets, accelerating the transition to a clean energy economy, and improving the health, safety, and security of all Americans.