For Immediate Release - Wednesday August 13th, 2008

Contact: Tara Trujillo, 303.820.2008(o)

WITH NEW AD, UDALL DRAWS "LINE IN THE SAND" ON ENERGY INDEPENDENCE

Outlines Comprehensive Approach on Energy Policy

Senate candidate Mark Udall's campaign released a new television ad outlining Udall's commitment to a comprehensive policy for American energy independence. The ad highlights Udall's complete approach to taking on the nation's energy crisis, tapping American innovation to boost American energy production, both renewable and traditional, and to make better use of the energy we have through more efficient cars, appliances, and homes.

"We've got to draw a line in the sand," says Udall in the new ad. "That starting today, right now, America's going to work toward energy independence."

Udall has a long record of work on energy policy, having made it the centerpiece of his public service career. Long before the nation faced its current energy crisis, Udall was one of America's leaders on breaking our dependence on foreign oil and developing a new energy economy that lowers prices for families and creates jobs in Colorado.

Now, America's dependence on foreign oil has turned into one of the greatest economic challenges the country faces. Mark Udall is proposing a comprehensive national energy policy to bring people together, tackle this challenge, and secure America's energy future.

"As this ad shows, Mark Udall has a comprehensive plan that throws the kitchen sink at the energy crisis that's squeezing our families," said Udall spokeswoman Tara Trujillo. "His opponent's only plan is how to get more money into the pockets of the oil industry bankrolling his campaign. We think Coloradans stand with Mark, and this ad shows that he stands with them."

The ad can be viewed at http://www.markudall.com/Line and a script is provided below. The ad will run on television across the state.

:30 TV - "Line" SCRIPT

[UDALL]: We've got to draw a line in the sand. That starting today, right now, America's going to work toward energy independence.

Through new technology and increased efficiency.

And with all this wind, why depend so much on foreign oil?

We've got to produce our own oil and gas, here in our country.

And keep it here to power America's economy.

I'm Mark Udall. I approved this message, because we've got so much at stake, and together we can get this right.

THE FACTS:

MARK UDALL SUPPORTS A COMPREHENSIVE, "KITCHEN SINK" APPROACH TO AMERICAN ENERGY INDEPENDENCE.

"To meet this challenge, we need a more diverse portfolio of energy sources, including renewable energy. A stronger push for energy security based on renewable and sustainable energy sources like solar, biomass, and wind does not mean that we can easily abandon oil, however. Other important energy sources like natural gas, coal and nuclear must be part of the mix. A diverse energy portfolio means that we should responsibly develop-and also conserve-these resources." [Mark Udall Campaign Website, http://www.markudall.com/content/page/energy_security_and_a_new_economy]

"We've had President Bush, Vice President Cheney, we've had Congressman Schaffer - all in the oil industry. We need a broader, comprehensive policy. We've got to throw the kitchen sink at this. That's how we get in control again." [Fox 31 Debate, 7/28/2008]

"I want to see a diverse energy policy put forth that's going to emphasize the long term as much as the short term," Udall said. [Rocky Mountain News, 5/12/2001]

"I believe it would have been appropriate for the House to consider not just one approach to reducing oil prices, but to consider all approaches that promise to bring down prices by addressing the core problem: our continued excessive dependence on imported oil." [Mark Udall Op-Ed, Colorado Daily, 4/14/2000]

MARK UDALL IS A RECOGNIZED NATIONAL LEADER ON NEW ENERGY DEVELOPMENT.

"a key figure in the drive to put Colorado out front on renewable-energy development." [Denver Post, 10/15/2006]

"a driving force in the proposal to require more renewable energy use in Colorado." [Denver Post, 10/17/2004]

"working to make Colorado a national leader on renewable energy for more than a decade...at the forefront in promoting renewable energy legislation." [Daily Camera, 11/17/2007]

Led the Bipartisan Effort for Colorado's Renewable Electricity Standard (RES): He started the fight by introducing and then working with others for passage of RES legislation in the Colorado State Legislature. Then Udall and former Republican State House Speaker Lola Spradley barnstormed the state and fought for passage of a state RES through a ballot initiative, Amendment 37. Colorado overwhelmingly approved the initiative in 2004, making Colorado one of the first states in the nation to enact a renewable electricity standard.

Introduced and Worked To Gain Passage Of Bipartisan Legislation To Enact A Federal Renewable Energy Standard (RES). Representatives Mark Udall (D-CO), Tom Udall (D-NM), Todd Platts (R-PA), Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Chris Shays (R-CT), Diana DeGette (D-CO), Jerry McNerny (D-CA) and Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) gained floor passage of bipartisan legislation to establish a federal Renewable Energy Standard (RES) requiring electric utilities to acquire 15 percent of their electricity from wind, solar and other renewable energy sources by 2020 (H.R.3221). After passing the House, the measure failed narrowly in the Senate.

Authored and Cosponsored 67 Bills During his Public Service to Expand Domestic Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Programs: Throughout his years in public service, Mark Udall has introduced a variety of legislation intended to provide incentives for the increased development and use of renewable sources of energy, including measures that would direct the Secretary of Energy to implement a research and development strategy for increased use of hybrid systems, legislation to increase the energy efficiency of schools, and legislation to increase funding for Defense Department programs in alternative energy and advanced power technology. [List Available on Request]

Supported Increasing CAFE Standards, a Move That Would Save 1.1 million Barrels of Oil Per Day: Achieving 35 mpg by 2020 as directed by the recently passed energy bill will save 1.1 million barrels of oil per day in 2020-over half the oil the U.S. currently imports from the Persian Gulf. [Union of Concerned Scientists] http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_vehicles/fuel_economy/questions-and-answers-on-fuel-economy.html

MARK UDALL SUPPORTS RESPONSIBLE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR DOMESTIC OIL AND GAS RESOURCES.

Introduced Legislation that Would have Increased the Area Available for Leasing in the Outer Continental Shelf. Mark Udall introduced an amendment that would allow for OCS exploration 100 miles outside of the Florida Coast. The final version of the bill called for OCS exploration 125 miles outside of the Florida Coast. [See Report Number 109-531 - DEEP OCEAN ENERGY RESOURCES ACT OF 2006]

Is Fighting for Governor Ritter's Proposal to Responsibly Develop the Roan Plateau and Introduced Legislation to Enact the Proposal. [H.R. 5851; Udall Press Release 12/20/2007]

Supported Legislation to Start a Gas Leasing Program in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska. He voted for the Drill Responsibly in Leased Lands Act of 2008 (H.R. 6515), which would have amended the Naval Petroleum Reserves Production Act of 1976 to direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct an oil and gas competitive leasing program in the National Petroleum Reserve, Alaska, that includes at least one lease sale each year during the period 2009 through 2013. [RCV#511, 7/17/2008] http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2008/roll511.xml

Supported New MMS Accelerated Review of OCS Drilling. "I welcome the announcement made today by Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne that the Minerals Management Service (MMS) will begin an accelerated review of what additional Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) oil and gas resources may be appropriate to drill. I support additional responsible drilling on the OCS, as in 2006 when I proposed the leasing of additional acreage off Florida than was approved by the Republican leadership in the House of Representatives. We need to do everything we can that might bring relief to our consumers that are feeling pinched by excessive gas prices, and MMS' careful and comprehensive review of our OCS oil and gas options is an important step. I am particularly pleased that MMS seeks to include all stakeholders in its process, including, most importantly, the Governors of potentially impacted states." [Udall Press Release 7/30/2008]

Proposed New Comprehensive Legislation Building on the "Gang of 10" Plan That Expands Domestic Oil Production as Well as Increasing Investments in Alternative Energy and Energy Efficiency. "We want to break the gridlock in Washington on high gas prices and energy policy. A group of Republicans and Democrats in the Senate - the so-called Gang of 10 - has come together to suggest a way forward. The Gang of 10's plan - which includes new investments in renewable energy, a transformation of America's motor vehicle fleet, and expansion of domestic oil production - should be the starting point for debate when we return to Washington in September. It is not a complete answer, but it represents real progress in helping Republicans and Democrats find common ground to solve America's energy crisis. We propose a new, comprehensive energy plan based on the Gang of 10's constructive ideas and our own initiatives." [Udall/Salazar Energy Plan]

BOB SCHAFFER VOTED AGAINST INCREASING FUEL EFFICIENCY STANDARDS AND AGAINST FUNDING RENEWABLE ENERGY AND EFFICIENCY PROGRAMS.

Schaffer Was 1 of Only 15 Members to Vote Against a Renewable Energy Partnership. In 2001, Schaffer voted against a partnership program between the EPA and the private sector to conduct outreach on renewable and alternative energy. [HR 4, Vote #310, 8/1/2001; Passed 411-15]

Schaffer Voted Against Energy Efficiency Programs: On July 21, 1998, Schaffer voted against an amendment to increase funding for energy efficiency and conservation programs. LCV strongly supported the measure. [HR 4193, House CQ Vote 313, 7/21/98, LCV Legislative Scorecard Vote]

Schaffer Opposed Increasing Fuel Efficiency for Cars and Providing Incentives for Alternative Fuel Vehicles: On August 1, 2001, Schaffer voted against an amendment requiring increased fuel efficiency standards for cars and light trucks and offering incentives for alternative fuel vehicles. [HR 4, vote 311, 8/1/01; CQ Weekly, 8/4/01]

BOB SCHAFFER HAS SUPPORTED THE BUSH ENERGY POLICY OF BIG OIL HANDOUTS AND SKYROCKETING GAS PRICES EVERY STEP OF THE WAY.

Schaffer Supported the 2001 Bush Energy Plan Which Included Nearly $13 Billion in Tax Breaks for the Oil and Gas Industry, and was described as "larded with costly subsidies" and "an old-fashioned boondoggle that uses taxpayer dollars to degrade the environment." [HR 4, Roll Call #320, 8/2/01; Boston Globe editorial, 8/3/01]

Schaffer Supported the 2004 Bush Energy Plan, Which Even John McCain Called "No Lobbyist Left Behind": "I support all aspects of the president's [energy] plan. I think the president is on the right track." [Bob Schaffer, NFIB Debate, 7/1/04]

The 2004 Energy Bill Included Nearly $12 Billion in Tax Breaks for the Oil and Gas Industry. "Senators, notably Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) refused to swallow it. He called it the ‘No-Lobbyist-Left-Behind' bill." [HR 4503, 6/15/2004; HR 6, 11/18/2003; http://sierraclub.typepad.com/cleanenergywatch/2007/12/analysis-energy.html]

Gas Prices Have Almost Tripled Under the Bush-Schaffer Approach. When George Bush took office, gasoline cost $1.51 per gallon. Since that time, gas prices have increased 275%. [Energy Information Association, Department of Energy]

BOB SCHAFFER CUT FOREIGN OIL DEALS FOR HIS COMPANY, INCLUDING ONE WITH KURDISTAN, WHICH THE STATE DEPARTMENT OPPOSED BECAUSE IT UNDERCUT THE MISSION OF U.S. TROOPS IN IRAQ

"An oil contract Republican U.S. Senate candidate Bob Schaffer helped negotiate in Iraqi Kurdistan is one of several production deals the U.S. State Department has flagged as problematic for Iraq and its attempts to establish a national oil policy... According to a June 23 report from the nonpartisan Government Accountability Office, Aspect Energy's oil contract and roughly two dozen other similar deals have proven a point of contention between Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government... ‘We continue to advise all companies that...signature of such contracts would needlessly elevate tensions between the (Kurdistan Regional Government) and the government of Iraq," Jeffrey T. Bergner, the State Department's assistant secretary of legislative affairs, wrote in an Oct. 18 letter to Congressman Edward Markey, D-Mass." [Grand Junction Daily Sentinel, 7/9/08]

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