Overnight Energy: Keystone questions dog Clinton

by Timothy Cama and Devin Henry - 07/28/15 6:24 PM ET

HER LIPS ARE SEALED: For the second time in as many days, Hillary Clinton fought off a question about whether she supports the Keystone XL oil pipeline.

At a Des Moines, Iowa, event, the Democratic candidate for president said it’d be inappropriate for her to take a position, since she used to be secretary of State and President Obama is currently handling the pipeline’s application.

“This is President Obama’s decision. And I am not going to second guess him, because I was in a position to set this in motion, and I do not think that would be the right thing to do. So I want to wait and see what he and Secretary Kerry decide,” she said.

{mosads}”If it’s undecided when I become president, I will answer your question.”

The comment follows a Monday event in Des Moines, in which she refused to take a position on Keystone “because I had a leading role in getting that process started, and I think that we have to let it run its course.”

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), a Democratic presidential contender, jumped on Clinton’s remarks as indefensible in the face of climate change.

“It is hard for me to understand how one can be concerned about climate change but not vigorously oppose the Keystone pipeline,” he said.

Read more here, and keep an eye on The Hill for more coverage tomorrow.

MORE CLINTON: Following the Keystone dust-ups and other green group disappointments with Clinton, a campaign aide told CNN that the operation would offset all of its carbon dioxide emissions, including those for the private jet she uses to travel.

The aide declined to provide further details on the plan, saying they would come out in the coming weeks as Clinton further fleshes out her climate policies.

Read more here.

ON TAP WEDNESDAY I: The Senate Energy and Natural Resources will continue its meeting to debate and mark up the broad bipartisan energy reform package, which it started Tuesday. The panel could also get to Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s (R-Alaska) bill on oil exports and offshore drilling.

ON TAP WEDNESDAY II: Various Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) officials, including Administrator Gina McCarthy, will testify at a House Oversight Committee hearing on allegations of mismanagement at the agency, specifically related to sexual misconduct. It is the second in a series of mismanagement hearings by the Oversight Committee.

Rest of Wednesday’s agenda …

White House chief of staff Denis McDonough will be the star guest at a Center for American Progress event on international efforts to fight climate change. French ambassador to the United States Gérard Araud will also speak.

The House Natural Resources Committee will host a hearing on Republicans’ allegations that the Obama administration selectively enforces Endangered Species Act allegations on federal agencies. Specifically, the GOP says the EPA did not properly consider the impacts of its carbon rules for power plants on endangered species. Officials from the Interior Department and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the two agencies responsible for enforcing the act, will testify.

The House Science Subcommittee on energy will hold a hearing to examine the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s process for licensing nuclear reactors. NRC Chairman Stephen Burns will be the sole witness.

The Bureau of Land Management will hold its first listening session in a series to gather input for potential reforms to its coal-leasing program.

AROUND THE WEB:

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee (D) says he’s moving forward on executive action to cap the state’s carbon dioxide emissions, the Seattle Times reports.

Anadarko Petroleum Corp. had a 73 percent drop in net income in the second quarter, the Houston Chronicle reports.

A Florida foundation has named Gov. Rick Scott (R) the environmentalist of the year, the Orlando Sentinel reports.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

Check out Tuesday’s stories …

-Sanders swipes at Clinton over Keystone
-Warren: Lifting oil export ban ‘dangerous‘ for environment
-Wildlife group threatens lawsuit over pipeline safety
-Clinton aide: Campaign will offset carbon emissions
-Senators start debating energy bill
-Federal court rejects EPA cross-state air pollution rules
-Clinton ducks on Keystone for second day
-Nebraska gov pushes Obama to approve Keystone pipeline
-Energy producers spar over ethanol mandate
-Alaska’s senior senator eyes smoother reelection
-Biz group launches multimillion-dollar ads against ozone rule