Bass Faces New Questions Over Biomass Investments

Roll Call has obtained a document that raises new questions about New Hampshire Congressman Charlie Bass’ 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.

But a letter obtained by Roll Call shows that in 2006, during his first stint as a Congressman, Bass made a direct invitation to Bodman to come to New Hampshire and suggested “a schedule that would highlight the contributions” of the state’s alternative energy firms. The letter also touted Bass’ legislative work to promote alternative fuels.

The letter, says Roll Call, is likely to reignite the controversy over Bass’ ties to New England Wood Pellet.