The battle over drilling on the Roan Plateau has involved a wide variety of environmental, business, economic and political interests.
But the insertion into the debate of the group Americans for American Energy promises to pump up the rhetoric and turn up the heat on politicians who don’t support natural-gas drilling in western Colorado.
Especially when those who oppose drilling on the Roan are considered to be fighting against the United States.
“This is about protecting America’s national security,” said Jim Sims, the group’s senior policy adviser and former president.
“We are fighting against foreign interests and environmental extremists who don’t want to see America rely on our resources.”
That theme is expected to go statewide in an upcoming ad campaign by the Golden-based group, which defines itself as a grassroots organization but has been labeled a front for the oil-and-gas industry.
Sims said the campaign aims to educate citizens on the “economic stakes.”
It comes as Gov. Bill Ritter is reviewing the federal development plan on the Roan, which, among other things, limits drilling operations to no more than 1 percent of the plateau’s surface land at any given time.
It also coincides with negotiations between the U.S. House and Senate on an energy bill, the House version of which includes an amendment sponsored by Colorado Democratic Reps. Mark Udall and John Salazar barring drilling on top of the Roan.
Because of its nonprofit status, AAE does not have to disclose many details about itself, including the names of donors. But its positions, political ties and involvement in an ad campaign promoting oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in northeastern Alaska have led some to conclude it’s more than a grassroots nonprofit.
“AAE is a front group promoting the interests of extraction industries,” said Sheldon Rampton, research director for the Center of Media & Democracy, a media watchdog group.
Sims said they are an “education and advocacy group” with 800,000 activists in their database.
AAE last week released its report that Colorado could get up to $1.2 billion in revenue during the first year of drilling on the Roan. Many state politicians and business interests, as well as some western Colorado residents, have for months been touting the potential economic benefits of drilling on the Roan.
Critics contend the number is inflated and note that AAE refuses to disclose the sources it used to compile the report. The Colorado Department of Natural Resources said it will do its own assessment.
The launch of an AAE campaign worries opponents of drilling on the Roan.
“We are concerned that they are going to use all sorts of extreme efforts and tactics that could be successful. And once things start, we won’t be able to stop it,” said Duke Cox, chairman of the energy committee for the Western Colorado Congress.
Besides the Roan, AAE’s objectives include supporting greater access to minerals in Alaska; opposing “anti-production elements” in the House energy bill; opposing over-regulation of produced coal bed methane water in Colorado; and pushing back on over-regulation of air emissions from oil and gas operations.
Last month, Gov. Dave Freudenthal, D-Wyo., cut off relations with AAE after they made “highly inappropriate assertions” about his support for its campaign. The group said it was unintentional.
AAE’s creation stemmed from a $3 million contract last year that Pac/West Communications, an Oregon-based consulting firm, had with the state of Alaska to educate Americans about oil drilling in Alaska’s arctic refuge, or ANWR.
Using Pac/West money, AAE became the message center for pushing Congress to approve opening up ANWR for drilling, according to the Anchorage Daily News. Sims said the money was a “contribution” to the group.
The president and chief executive of the group is Greg Schnacke, who until a month ago was head of the Colorado Oil and Gas Association, an industry group. The chairman of the board is Wyoming state Sen. Bill Vasey, a Democrat.
Sims has been a federal lobbyist, working on renewable-energy policies, and is the former communications director for the White House’s 2001 energy task force. The group came under fire when Vice President Dick Cheney refused to disclose its contacts with industry executives and lobbyists.
Karen Crummy: 303-954-1594 or kcrummy@denverpost.com
