Hillary Clinton did not comment on the Keystone XL pipeline Monday while speaking before a conservation group that is strongly opposed to the plan . During a 15-minute speech , Clinton spoke about the importance of green technology , the problems surrounding natural gas drilling and the fact that climate change exists and needs to be addressed more forcefully . But at no point did Clinton address the 1,179-mile-long project that would move oil from Canada to refineries in the United States at the League of Conservation Voters ' New York dinner . `` There is no getting around the fact that the kind of ambitious response to effectively combat climate change is going to be a tough sell at home and around the world at a time when so many counties ... are grappling with slow growth and stretched budgets , '' Clinton said at the dinner . `` Our economy still runs primarily on fossil fuels and trying to change that will take strong leadership . '' Clinton also went after climate change deniers during the speech by noting sea levels are rising , ice caps are melting and storms are getting stronger . `` We do not have to choose between a healthy environment and a healthy economy , '' she added . Clinton 's refusal to comment on the pipeline is not new . The former secretary of state has repeatedly dodged the Keystone question and gave the issue zero mentions in her 2014 memoir . Clinton usually tells interested audiences -- usually groups in Canada or at environmental events -- that she does n't want to comment on an issue currently in the hands of her successor , Secretary of State John Kerry . But Keystone appears to be one of the only issues where Clinton follows that rule . The former first lady regularly comments on other issues currently on Kerry 's plate , like Syria , the ongoing conflict with ISIS and talk over nuclear weapons with Iran . Both Republicans and Democrats have faulted Clinton for not commenting on the issue . America Rising , an anti-Clinton super PAC , has made the issue one of their most used recent attacks on Clinton , while liberal groups have pushed Clinton for specifics on her pipeline position . Gene Karpinski , president of the conservation group , said he was n't disappointed that Clinton did n't mention Keystone , primarily because he knows she does n't comment . `` She has already been asked about that . That is not her decision right now , '' Karpinski said . `` You heard her praise President Obama many , many times for his leadership on climate change and leaving a legacy . That is a decision left to him and the current secretary of state . That is where it should be . '' The League of Conservation Voters has been pointedly against the pipeline for years and regularly urges supporters to call members of Congress and petition their government to kill the pipeline . That said , Karpinski would not rule out backing a candidate who supports the pipeline and points to a few pro-pipeline senators the league backed in 2014 . RELATED : Senate rejects GOP measure to build oil pipeline . Clinton 's silence on Keystone was made more interesting given the fact that before her speech , the former senator from New York stumped for Sen. Mary Landrieu of Louisiana at a New York fundraiser . Landrieu , a moderate Democrat who has been one of the pipeline 's most outspoken proponents , is currently behind in a runoff race for her Senate seat . In a way to win voters , Landrieu forced a vote on the pipeline in the Senate earlier this month . Though Landrieu voted in favor , many from her party did not and the bill failed by one vote . Karpinski said he did not find it odd that Clinton stumped for Landrieu - a candidate the league did not back - before speaking to his group . `` There is nothing surprising about that at all , '' he said . `` Many of our best friends in the Senate have done similar things . ... It is just what people do . '' After Clinton 's speech , she sat with a number of top environmental activists , including Tom Steyer , a Keystone opponent and big Democratic donor . Questions about Clinton 's position on Keystone are not likely to abate soon . Earlier on Monday , organizers announced Clinton would speak at two events in Canada on January 21 where Keystone is likely going to be addressed .
Mary Landrieu took a pass at addressing the Keystone XL pipeline project before a pro-environment group 2014 . Clinton has frequently declined to take a position on the controversial issue . Earlier in the day , Hillary Clinton attended a fundraiser for embattled pro-pipeline Landrieu Sen. Mary Landrieu .