Rep. Bass Faces New Energy Questions

[MaineDem]

Uh oh...

In what must feel like a nasty case of déjà vu, Rep. Charles Bass (R-N.H.) is already fending off the same opponent he barely beat last year and new documents are reopening the same campaign controversy that nearly derailed his election last fall.

Democrat Ann McLane Kuster, who lost to Bass by just 1.5 points in 2010, is back in the ring. And new questions have arisen in a controversy involving Bass’ close ties to and investments in the biomass industry.

Bass strenuously denied allegations during the 2010 race that he had facilitated a 2006 meeting between then-Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman and Steven Walker, the CEO of a New Hampshire biomass firm known as New England Wood Pellet. Walker is married to Bass’ niece.

Bass also faced questions during the campaign about his stock holdings in that company, worth about $500,000, and about the timing of his purchase.

http://www.rollcall.com/issues/56_144/-206724-1.html