Energy subsidy comparison: renewables get little
From the blog of Wind Energy Works:
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently released a report comparing electricity subsidies by fuel type in response to a request from Senators Alexander and Carper. The report looks at both R&D and tax expenditures for fossil fuel, nuclear and renewable energy from FY 2002 through FY 2007. While this report does not include the subsidies received by conventional generation over the past 50 to 80 years or subsidies outside of R&D or tax measures, such as limited liability insurance and loan guarantees, it does present a clear picture that renewable energy continues to receive only a fraction of subsidies from the Federal government.
The Results?
Total R&D Expenditures from FY 2002 to FY 2007: $11.5 billion with nuclear receiving $6.2 billion, fossil fuel receiving $3.1 billion and renewable energy receiving $1.4 billion.
Total Tax Expenditures from FY 2002 to FY 2007: $18.2 billion with fossil fuel receiving $13.7 billion and renewable energy receiving $2.8 billion.
