New ads promote politicians who favor renewable fuel standards
Source: Jennifer Yachnin, E&E reporter • Posted: Friday, June 27, 2014
Each of the 30-second spots in Iowa, Michigan and Colorado will feature military veterans from their respective states, praising the use of biofuels and framing their use as a national security issue.
In the Iowa spot, veteran Jeff Lindaman of Iowa City praises Gov. Terry Branstad (R) and Rep. Bruce Braley (D). Braley is competing with state Sen. Joni Ernst (R) for the seat of retiring Sen. Tom Harkin (D).
“They’re demanding Washington keep their promise to invest in more renewable fuels, like the kind here in Iowa, because It means less oil money going to enemies who threaten our troops overseas,” Lindaman says.
Navy Veteran Andrew Hanselman similarly narrates an ad that will air in Michigan next week, although he does not appear on camera.
“Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters get that; they’re leading the fight to free us from foreign oil and use more American-made energy,” Hanselman says, referring to the Democratic senator and House lawmaker, respectively. Peters is locked in a tight race with former Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land (R) for the seat of retiring Sen. Carl Levin (D).
A third ad that will air in Colorado criticizes Rep. Mike Coffman (R) for voting against a measure in 2011 that would have ended tax subsidies for fossil fuel producers.
“Congressman Mike Coffman voted against raising troop pay but voted for tax breaks for big oil companies,” Iraq War veteran Brian Esqibel says to the camera. “Now, Coffman could give Big Oil an even bigger break by refusing to support American-made biofuels.”
The ad concludes with Coffman’s office phone number on the screen as Esqibel states, “Let’s call Mike Coffman. Ask him if he stands with Big Oil or with Colorado veterans.”
Coffman’s suburban Denver 6th District seat is a top target for Democrats this cycle. He faces former state House Speaker Andrew Romanoff (D) in November.