Coloradans are seeing this TV ad during the next week in an effort to sway Republican Sen. Cory Gardner to retain wind energy tax credits.
The House version of the tax reform bill eliminates the tax credits, which could hinder the industry’s development. Colorado is home to three Vestas wind turbine production plants.
The ad from American Wind Action notes that the wind energy industry employs more than 100,000 jobs nationally. The YouTube page for the ad notes that “7,000 wind energy jobs are at risk in Colorado. Tell Senator Gardner to keep fighting for wind energy and workers.”
Another group, Not One Penny, is spending more than $94,000 in the Denver market to air ads opposing the tax bill overall. Not One Penny began airing ads against the bill in other states in August.
Now, it’s spending $23,110 on 69 ads on KCNC Channel 4 and $28,250 for 36 ads on KUSA Channel 9. Not One Penny is also airing ads featuring an impersonator of President Donald Trump on Fox News.
American Wind Action is spending more than $43,000 in the Denver market, according to filings from KUSA, where 11 ads will air at a cost of $23,800. On KMGH Channel 7, American Wind Action is spending $5,490 for 10 spots. On KCNC Channel 4, it’s spending $10,250 for 12 spots.
American Wind Action, a national political action committee, is running similar ads aimed at Republican senators in Iowa, Idaho, North Dakota, Kansas and South Dakota.
Colorado’s four GOP House members – Reps. Ken Buck, Mike Coffman, Doug Lamborn and Scott Tipton – all voted for the tax plan when it passed the house Nov. 16.