How Much Do Government Subsidies for Fossil Fuel Tilt the Playing Field?
A report from the Solar Energy Industries Association(SEIA) found that power from the sun could provide 15% of the U.S.’s power needs, in the next decade if subsidies were issued equally, based on production. Go to http://www.solarplaza.com for further reading on this.
A total of $72 billion in Federal subsidies has been issued during the past 6 years, from 2002 through 2008. $2.3 billion went to carbon capture and sequestration and r&d. During the same time period, the solar industry only received about $1 billion. Fossil fuel was the beneficiary of the remainder. Further information can be viewed at http://treehugger.com
Again we’re faced with several possible scenario’s as the outcome of government subsidies being equally distributed. What are some of your thoughts or opinions of subsidy redistribution? Let me know by clicking the “comments” link immediately following this post. We’ll explore another issue about technological breakthroughs and whether they’re sufficient to access our fields, like the Williston Basin, next week.
Till then, may God Bless You and Watch Over You. Tim
Solar can’t fill the needs by itself,do we stop investing in fossil fuel?
Arlen,
I’m not advocating that we stop using fossil fuel, that would be next to impossible to achieve. Let’s just invest in alternatives on an equal level with fossil fuel investments.
Tim, you have you have to ask if the government really wants us to use solar, wind, etc and create our own power.
Look how dependent we are on energy. How much tax do we pay on each gallon of gas, each spark of electricity, etc.? The the government controls, regulates. But if I put a solar panel on my roof does the government make any extra tax money from me?
Or do they just want to appear they are supportive, hoping no one takes time to look at the numbers?
Heidi,
Thanks for your view. I believe you’re right on target. The taxes we pay for fossil fuels are just another way our government directs our movements. I think more people are beginning to take notice, in turn, our elected representatives are beginning to see the light or vacate their positions. Tim