May 29, 2008 7:10 am US/Mountain
Ad On Schaffer Energy History Gets Reality Check
DENVER (CBS4) ―
There's a new political ad by a group called Coloradans for Economic Growth. It portrays Republican Senate candidate Bob Schaffer as something of a green energy guy.
AD: America is working to find new sources of energy, Bob Schaffer is making it a priority. As a businessman, Bob led efforts to increase wind power sources.
The claim is true. While Schaffer worked for Aspect Energy, he did a number of things including promoting wind power. He also worked in northern Iraq on the company's oil exploration projects, and worked for a time in the company's public education arm.
Sourcing:
Email from Todd Neugebauer on former Congressman Bob Schaffer's role at Aspect Energy
"Bob Schaffer worked for Aspect from 2003-2007. During this period, he participated in various assignments, including renewable energy projects for our affiliate, CHx, where he played a key role in the company's outreach and growth.
"In late 2004, CHx retained Dutko Worldwide (in particular, Deana Perlmutter, a senior vice president at the firm) to provide lobbying services in Washington. Specifically, the goal of our legislative efforts was to make the Production Tax Credit - which is available for renewable energy initiatives - more usable for small businesses, ranchers and farmers looking to develop their own individual renewable energy projects.
"One of CHx's most substantive investments during Bob's employment with us was Superior Renewable Energy, a wind power development company. CHx was the largest investor in Superior, and the projects initially developed during our participation will ultimately lead to the construction of over 750 megawatts of wind power; enough electricity to power between 170,000-225,000 homes. Bob played an important role in our renewable energy/wind power initiatives in CHx..."
Mr. Neugebauer is the Chief Investment Officer at Aspect Energy.
Schaffer campaign manager Dick Wadhams also confirmed Schaffer's work for Aspect Energy in northern Iraq (phone interview May 28, 2008)
See also, the Schaffer bio on Aspect Energy's Web site.
AD: As our congressman, Bob Schaffer voted to fund research for renewable energy projects, and give tax credits to families using solar energy, hybrid technology and alternative fuels.
This claim is also true, but there is a bit of spin here. As a member of Congress, Schaffer voted for the 2001 energy bill which set aside billions of dollars for research and development into renewable energy, as well as tax credits for solar energy, hybrid technology, and alternative fuels. But it's not the whole story, the 2001 energy bill was controversial because it gave the lion's share of its tax breaks to oil companies, to the tune of about $14 billion. Environmental groups have been highly critical of that bill, and Schaffer's vote for it.
Sourcing:
Text of the bill
Coloradans for Economic Growth source material
For criticism of the 2001 energy bill see:
League of Conservation Voters
House energy bill: A gift to oil industry
U.S. PIRG Reports
Environment Illinois: Global Warming Reports
AD: Call Bob Schaffer and tell him to keep fighting for new energy sources by supporting comprehensive energy legislation.
Bottom line, groups supporting Bob Schaffer will have a hard time making the case that he's more of a green energy candidate than his Democratic opponent Mark Udall. Still the cupboards aren't bare here, Schaffer has certainly done some work to promote the development of renewable energy, in addition to his work promoting fossil energy.
(© MMVIII CBS Television Stations, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
