According to election filings made public today, Xcel Energy has contributed almost half a million dollars to two groups fighting Ballot Issues 2B & 2C: the Xcel Energy Issue Committee and the Boulder Smart Energy Coalition (BSEC). The reports, which show election contributions and expenditures since mid-August, detail where the money comes from and where it goes.
The BSEC, which describes itself as “a citizen group concerned about municipalization and achieving our community’s energy goals,” spent $273,746 since August 17 on election activities. Total contributions to the group during the same period total $257,884, including a donation of $250,000 from Xcel Energy. The Xcel Energy Issue Committee, funded entirely by Xcel Energy, has spent $197,367.
In addition to tens of thousands of dollars in advertising expenses, expenditures made by the two groups include payments to David Miller, Chair of the BSEC ($16,113 since August 19th) and the Kenney Group, a Denver PR firm ($72,239).
The pro-2B & 2C group, Citizens for Boulder’s Clean Energy Future, has spent $21,123 so far during the campaign. The Boulder Smarter Energy Coalition has spent $5,438 and the Campaign for Local Energy has spent $12,476.
Boulder City Council candidates who are following Boulder’s campaign expenditure limits in exchange for city matching funds are limited to spending $15,099 throughout the entire campaign.
The contribution and expenditure filings are available for review at the city’s election website page. The next expenditure and contribution filing is due October 18.