Las Vegas Review-Journal - The Political Eye

The re-election campaign of Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., called on Sue Lowden, a potential Republican challenger, to, "do her homework," before talking about alternative energy subsidies.

They quoted statements by Lowden during a television appearance on KVBC in Las Vegas.

“When you have an opportunity to go, say solar, in China, which, you know, they’re developing huge solar areas in China, and other places as well,” Lowden is quoted. “And you’re getting terrific tax incentives, terrific tax breaks. You know why aren’t we doing that? Why aren’t we doing that in our state?”

Reid's folks followed with a reminder of tax credits and incentives Reid has supported for alternative energy development.

"Sue Lowden’s recognition that solar energy tax incentives will create thousands of jobs in Nevada is a great compliment to Sen. Reid’s leadership on this issue,” said campaign manager Brandon Hall. “However, the fact that she doesn't know Sen. Reid has already passed these tax incentives is not a great compliment to her candidacy. Sen. Reid has long felt that Nevada should be the nation's clean energy leader and has made great strides to turn that vision into reality.”

Lowden campaign consultant Robert Uithoven shot back.

"Sue Lowden believes we can do more to compete globally when it comes to energy production. She never suggested that we've done nothing and that our taxpayers haven't already subsidized billions of dollars in renewable energy production. However, what good are tax credits for some when you plan to take more from everybody?," he wrote.

For the complete back-and-forth, click on the statements below.

"Reid calls out Lowden" PDF document

"Lowden shoots back" PDF document