Clinton, at energy event, won’t take position on Keystone pipeline

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Clinton dodges questions over position on Keystone pipeline

Democratic presidential candidate rebuffs question as she unveiled new energy proposals

Hillary Clinton rebuffed a question Monday about her position on the Keystone XL oil pipeline even as she unveiled new energy proposals, opening the door to jeers from Republicans who accused her of "dodging."

The Democratic presidential candidate for months has avoided taking a position on the Canada-to-Texas oil pipeline, which remains under review at the State Department she once led. But given her entry into the White House race, and a new package of clean-energy ideas being put out by her campaign, Clinton was asked again Monday if she would at last weigh in.

Rather than stake out her stance, Clinton said only that she's "confident" the pipeline's impact on greenhouse gas emissions will be a "major factor" in the State Department's review.

"I will refrain from commenting because I had a leading role in getting that process started," Clinton said. "And I think that we have to let it run its course."

She noted that decision would be made by her successor, Secretary of State John Kerry, and President Obama.

With many Republican candidates calling for the pipeline's approval -- and Clinton having faced criticism before for hedging on controversial issues that divide her own party, like this one -- her response Monday was fodder for Republicans.

"Clinton avoided specifics and refused to take a position on important job-creating energy projects like the Keystone Pipeline, reminding voters why they think she's untrustworthy," Republican National Committee spokesman Michael Short said in a statement.

Jeff Bechdel, spokesman with the conservative America Rising, accused her of "dodging on key issues like the Keystone XL pipeline, just to win an election."

As part of Clinton's energy plan, meanwhile, the Democratic presidential contender on Monday proposed that every home in the United States be powered by renewable sources by 2027.

Her plan calls for the installation of 500 million solar panels over four years.

"We're all going to have to do our part, but that's who we are as Americans. We don't hide from change; we harness it," Clinton said in a video outlining her proposals.

Clinton discussed her clean-energy ideas during a tour of a regional bus station in Des Moines, Iowa, on Monday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.