On Tax Day, Big Wind Gets A Windfall

The wind industry often peddles the false claim that conventional energy sources like natural gas, coal, and nuclear receive more subsidies than wind power. Industry lobbyists at the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) use this myth as a talking point to push for more subsidies, including the federal Production Tax Credit. In reality, the exact […]

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Newsweek: What’s the True Cost of Wind Power?

Randy Simmons, professor of political economy at Utah State University, recently co-authored an article with Strata Policy Analyst Megan Hansen that sheds light on the true, hidden cost of wind power. Simmons and Hansen find that the enormous amount of federal subsidies and grants given to wind power every year make it hard for Americans to understand just […]

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Harry Reid Reaps Subsidies for Green Energy Companies

A new report raises questions about dealings between Sen. Harry Reid and green energy companies seeking federal subsidies. These companies received billions in taxpayer dollars after donating to an organization run by Reid allies, according to The Washington Free Beacon. Reid, who was Senate Majority Leader from 2007–2015, has bragged about steering federal grants and […]

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Big Ethanol's 'Trifecta' of Goodies

Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) offered an astute observation recently about federal ethanol policy. Speaking at a National Journal event titled, “Biofuels Mandate: Defend, Reform, or Repeal,” Welch pointed out that the ethanol industry has benefited from a “trifecta” of preferential federal policies: subsidies, tariffs, and mandates. Beyond wasting taxpayer funds, these policies have real, harmful […]

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In the Pipeline: 7/19/2013

When Bill Nordhaus thinks a tax scheme is pointless, it is pointless. If we were Hill staff, this would go into our everyday talking points.Fox News (7/18/13) reports: “As President Obama last month launched a sweeping new national program to combat ‘climate change,’ including tens of billions of dollars in likely new subsidies for solar and […]

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PYLE: More Tax Giveaways to Big Wind?

WASHINGTON D.C. — AEA President Thomas Pyle released the following statement in response to today’s decision by the Internal Revenue Service to establish a loose definition for the wind Production Tax Credit’s qualifying language. According to the new IRS guidelines, wind projects can receive 10 years of taxpayer-funded subsidies by committing as little as 5 […]

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In the Pipeline: 3/25/13

Show me the Moniz. ProPublica (3/20/13) reports: “When President Obama nominated Ernest Moniz to be energy secretary earlier this month, he hailed the nuclear physicist as a “brilliant scientist” who, among his many talents, had effectively brought together “prominent thinkers and energy companies” in the continuing effort to figure out a safe and economically sound energy future […]

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In the Pipeline: 3/20/13

That’s odd – I thought there was a sham solar company in the US too. There must be different trademark laws overseas. Gizmodo(3/19/13) reports: “The Shams Power Company opened their Shams 1 concentrated solar power station this week in Abu Dhabi. The station generates 100 MW and can power 20,000 homes while reducing CO2 emissions by […]

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In the Pipeline: 3/8/2013

It’s hard to believe how fast they grow up. One minute you’re dropping your subsidies off for their first day of kindergarten, and before you know it they’re taking victory laps in college. Politico (3/7/13) reports: “Just months after the wind power production tax credit won a last-minute renewal by Congress, opponents of the subsidy are circling […]

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