Ad targets Sen. Udall as anti-Keystone pipeline

The American Energy Alliance is spending more than $400,000 on a new ad accusing Sen. Mark Udall (D-Colo.) of opposing construction of the Keystone XL pipeline.

The conservative grassroots group claims Udall, who is up for reelection this year, wants to kills the $5.4 billion project. The ad is set to run through May 23.

{mosads}“The simple truth: Americans needs jobs,” a narrator says in the 30-second ad that begins airing Wednesday. “And the Keystone pipeline will create thousands of high-paying jobs.”

“Sen. Mark Udall is siding with Washington lobbyists and special interests to kill it,” the ad states.

The energy alliance says Udall opposes the pipeline because he voted against an amendment in 2012 that would have approved construction, and two other amendments in 2013 that would have promoted investment in refining sectors through the pipeline.

Udall has yet to take a formal stance for or against the pipeline.

Udall spokesman Mike Saccone said the reason the senator didn’t vote for the Republican and Democratic budget amendments on Keystone last year was because he felt it wasn’t Congress’ place to do so.

“Sen. Udall still believes Congress should not be injecting politics into the review process,” Saccone said.

Rep. Cory Gardner (R-Colo), who is running against Udall, backs Keystone’s construction and has worked to turn the pipeline into an issue in the race.