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Coloradans for Economic Growth: ADFACTS
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AVO: 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.
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.
Call Bob Schaffer and tell him to keep fighting for new energy sources by supporting comprehensive energy legislation.
Super: Call Bob Schaffer 720-377-1600
Support Clean Energy Amendment 4419.
DISCLAIMER: Coloradans for Economic Growth is responsible for the content of this advertising. Paid for by Coloradans for Economic Growth. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. www.CEGnow.org
SCHAFFER VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE 2001 ENERGY BILL
Energy Plan – Passage. “Passage of the bill that would make numerous changes to the nation’s energy policies including those in the areas of production, conservation, taxes, and research. The bill includes allowing oil and gas drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge; offering incentives for offshore drilling; funding nuclear energy, clean coal, and oil and gas research; extending tax credits for energy-efficiency and coal technology; and raising fuel efficiency standards for sport-utility vehicles and light trucks. It would provide $33.5 billion in tax credits over 10 years for energy producers and consumers.” (H.R. 4, CQ Vote #320: Passed 240-189: R 203-16; D 36-172; I 1-1, 8/2/01, Schaffer voted Yea)
PROVISIONS OF THE 2001 ENERGY BILL:
Making The Federal Government More Green: “The bill would require the federal government to buy alternative-fuel vehicles and undertake a dramatic increase in energy efficiency in federal buildings.” (Adam Graham-Silverman, Joseph J. Schatz, Kathryn A. Wolfe and Rebecca Adams, “H.R. 4,” CQ BillAnalysis, 4/25/02)
Increased CAFE Standards: “The bill would require the Energy secretary to impose standards that would reduce fuel consumption in light trucks — including sport-utility vehicles — by 5 billion gallons from 2004 through 2010.” (Adam Graham-Silverman, Joseph J. Schatz, Kathryn A. Wolfe and Rebecca Adams, “H.R. 4,” CQ BillAnalysis, 4/25/02)
Tax Credits For Alternative Energy: “The measure would create tax credits for individuals who purchased solar electric or solar water heating devices for their homes and businesses that generated power from biomass. Businesses and individuals could receive tax breaks for using fuel cells or buying alternative-fuel cars. It also would provide cuts for those who installed energy-efficiency equipment, such as strong insulation or efficient washing machines.” (Adam Graham-Silverman, Joseph J. Schatz, Kathryn A. Wolfe and Rebecca Adams, “H.R. 4,” CQ BillAnalysis, 4/25/02)
Conservation And Renewable Energy Research: “It would authorize $3.1 billion for conservation research, $2.5 billion for renewable energy research, $719 million for nuclear research and $4.3 billion for fossil fuel research.” (Adam Graham-Silverman, Joseph J. Schatz, Kathryn A. Wolfe and Rebecca Adams, “H.R. 4,” CQ BillAnalysis, 4/25/02)
Increase Research For Green Products And Technology: “The bill also would direct research on energy-efficient lights, ‘green’ school buses and deepwater oil exploration techniques. It would authorize research on a new generation of nuclear technology and reprocessing spent nuclear fuel.” (Adam Graham-Silverman, Joseph J. Schatz, Kathryn A. Wolfe and Rebecca Adams, “H.R. 4,” CQ BillAnalysis, 4/25/02)
SCHAFFER VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE 2002 FARM BILL
Farm Bill – Conference Report. “Adoption of the conference report on the bill that would reauthorize federal agriculture programs for six years. The agreement would re-establish programs that supply payments to farmers when commodity prices fall below a specified level. It would raise mandatory and direct farm program spending by $73.5 billion over 10 years, provide $243 billion for food stamps and restore benefits for legal immigrants, and increase conservation spending to $17.1 billion. After two years, the agreement would require certain goods to be labeled by country origin. It would lower the total limit on payments to individual farmers to $360,000 and authorize a new $1 billion dairy program for three and a half years.” (H.R. 2646, CQ Vote #123: Adopted (thus sent to the Senate) 280-141: R 141-73; D 137-68; I 2-0, 5/2/02, Schaffer voted Yea)
Farm Bill – Passage. “Authorize $167 billion over ten years for farm price supports, conservation programs, food aid and rural development. Authorize $5 billion annually through 2012 to growers of corn, wheat, soybeans, rice and cotton. Payments would be made on a countercyclical program, meaning they would increase as prices dropped.
Fixed payment plans based upon acres planted and set aside for conservation would be retained from the previous farm law. Eliminate a marketing tax on sugar at a cost of $440 million over 10 years, reduce the interest rate on sugar price support loans and authorize a payment-in-kind program that would allow growers to pay loans in sugar instead of cash. Extend a milk price support program through 2011 at a cost of $773 million. Create several marketing assistance loan programs similar to those for other commodities, including a loan program for wool and mohair at $164 million over 10 years and a honey loan program. Overhaul the peanut commodity program at a cost of $3.4 billion to make it resemble other crops’ arrangements more closely. End the marketing quota program and pay quota holders for the loss of crops they planted under it. Give the Agriculture secretary the authority to combat outbreaks of plant and animal diseases with emergency funds. Provide an additional $200 million in spending authority for surplus commodity purchases. Create a Technical Assistance Specialty Crop fund to assist with barriers to fruit and vegetable trade. Authorize $15 million annually for the life of the bill for the Senior’s Farmers Market Program. Authorize $16 billion through 2011 for soil, water and wildlife programs. Authorize $1.4 billion for the Conservation Reserve Program through 2011, with a 39.5 million-acre enrollment cap. Authorize $10.3 billion through 2011 for the Environmental Quality Incentive Program.” (H.R. 2646, CQ Vote #371: Passed 291-120: R 151-58; D 139-61; I 1-1, 10/5/01, Schaffer voted Yea)
PROVISIONS OF THE 2002 FARM BILL:
The Energy Title Of The 2002 Farm Bill Included $405 Million Over Ten Years To Provide Incentives To Develop Renewable Energy And Biomass Energy Supplies And Increase Energy Efficiency. “The measure authorizes $405 million over 10 years for various incentives to farmers, ranchers and rural small businesses to develop renewable energy and biomass energy supplies, and to increase energy efficiency, including:
“A $75 million loan guarantee and grant program to help farmers purchase renewable energy systems and make improvements in energy efficiency;
“A $115 million grant program that will educate government and private fuel consumers about the benefits of biodiesel fuel use; and
“Authorizes $6 million for federal agencies to purchase and test biobased products and $75 million through 2007 for the Biomass Research and Development Act (part of PL 106-224).”
(By Adam Graham-Silverman, Joseph J. Schatz, Eryn Gable and Kathryn A. Wolfe, “HR 2646,” CQ Bill Watch, As signed into law by the president on May 13, 2002)
The Measure Also Contained $204 Million To Continue The USDA Program That Pays Bioenergy Producers To Purchase Agriculture Commodities To Manufacture Biodiesel And Fuel-Grade Ethanol. “The measure also authorizes $204 million for the Commodity Credit Corporation’s Bioenergy Program, which will allow the USDA to continue making payments to bioenergy producers that purchase agricultural commodities to manufacture biodiesel and fuel-grade ethanol.” (By Adam Graham-Silverman, Joseph J. Schatz, Eryn Gable and Kathryn A. Wolfe, “HR 2646,” CQ Bill Watch, As signed into law by the president on May 13, 2002)
Under The Continuation Of The Bioenergy Program, Switch Grass Is An Eligible Commodity For Purchase:
SEC. 9010. CONTINUATION OF BIOENERGY PROGRAM.
(3) ELIGIBLE COMMODITY.—The term “eligible commodity” means—
(A) wheat, corn, grain sorghum, barley, oats, rice, soybeans, sunflower seed, rapeseed, canola, safflower, flaxseed, mustard, crambe, sesame seed, and cottonseed;
(B) a cellulosic commodity (such as hybrid poplar and switch grass);
(PL 107-171, Bill Text, “HR 2646,” Enrolled, 5/8/02)
CLEAN ENERGY TAX STIMULUS ACT (Amdt. 4419)
Renewable Energy – Mortgage Relief/Energy Tax Credits. “Ensign, R-Nev., amendment no. 4419 to the Dodd, D-Conn., substitute amendment no. 4387. The Ensign amendment would extend existing renewable energy tax breaks totaling $6 billion for producing energy from wind, sunlight and other renewable sources, including a one-year extension of the renewable energy production tax credit. The Dodd amendment would substitute mortgage relief provisions, including tax breaks for those buying foreclosed homes and for homebuilders, an overhaul of the Federal Housing Administration’s mortgage insurance program, $4 billion in Community Development Block Grants to purchase and rehabilitate foreclosed properties, and other provisions to alleviate the housing crisis.” (H.R. 3221, CQ Votes #95: Adopted by a vote of 88-8: R 42-5; D 44-3; I 2-0, 4/10/08)
Amdt. 4419 Contains Same Language As The Clean Energy Tax Stimulus Act Of 2008 (S. 2821). “The amendment, which contains the same text as stand-alone legislation (S.2821) introduced earlier this week by Senators Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and John Ensign (R-Nev.), will extend the renewable energy production tax credit for one year and the solar energy and fuel cell investment tax credit for eight years.” (U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, Press Release, “Senate Passes Domenici-Backed Clean Energy Tax Credits,” 4/10/08)
THE CLEAN ENERGY TAX STIMULUS ACT OF 2008 (S. 2821)
“The Clean Energy Tax Stimulus Act Of 2008 Extends The Investment Tax Credit For Eight More Years For Businesses.” (Martin LaMonica, “Hope Under The Sun?” C-Net News.com, 4/3/08)
“Consumers Would Have The Existing 30 Percent Federal Tax Credit On Renewable Energy Projects, Such As Solar Panels, Extended Another Year And The $2,000 Cap Removed.” (Martin LaMonica, “Hope Under The Sun?” C-Net News.com, 4/3/08)
The Clean Energy Stimulus Act Is A Bi-Partisan Bill. “On Thursday, Sens. Mary Cantwell (D-Wash.) and Senator John Ensign (R-Nev.) introduced a bill that would extend that credit and provide incentives for energy-efficiency measures.” (Martin LaMonica, “Hope Under The Sun?” C-Net News.com, 4/3/08)
SCHAFFER: IMPROVING U.S. WIND INDUSTRY
Schaffer Worked To Improve The U.S. Wind Industry. “Bob Schaffer previously acted as Vice-President for business development at CHx Capital, LLC. Bob was involved in a variety of wind power investments, international energy opportunities, and education projects. Bob worked to improve the US Wind Industry. Specifically, he worked to increase entrepreneurial opportunities for small business owners by ensuring that wind-specific tax credits could be utilized indirectly by wind developers classified as small business owners. Bob helped educate Congress about the benefits of wind power including its positive impact on the environment, job creation, and its importance to making the United States less dependent on foreign sources of oil.” (Aspect Energy Website, www.aspectenergy.com, Accessed 4/30/08)
