The NYT had an article this weekend that might as well have been titled "Dems Corrupt, Green Companies Gorging on Bonanza of Earmarked Pork and Wasting Your Money."
Really? Let's look at the evidence they present.
Exhibit A is Sunpower Corp, which received a $20 million grant from the DOE. Where did those funds come from? The President's Solar America Initiative, announced in his February 2006 State of the Union address -- which, as I pointed out at the time, merely returned funding for solar research to the levels enjoyed under the Carter administration (a modest $148 million). Hardly a bonanza.
So, here we have a competitively bid project, out of a ridiculously small program that was contained in the president's budget and passed by the Republican-controlled Congress, used as proof that Dems are giving away the house to green companies.
Dems? No. Earmarked? No. Pork? No.
And all of this about a bill that Republicans are fighting and the president has threatened to veto specifically because ... wait for it ... it has the temerity to reduce tax incentives and subsidies to fossil fuel industries!
Your liberal media at work.
Comments
View as Flat
Delay And Deny Posted 3:34 am
20 Aug 2007
As you mention, solar has been funded as early as 1970s -- and guess what? Private industry is rolling ahead with solar projects of all shapes and colors -- government intrusion for solar would be counterproductive as companies such as CMGI are pouring millions into solar and alternative energy.
You don't mention the 1 Billion dollars per year that the Bush Administration has singularly spearheaded for hydrogen and fuel cell research and development.
Fossil fuel still runs this country. And "alternatives" are far from being integrated into the grid in a consistent way. Example: electricity prices in Germany have been rising because of inconsistency in wind power. While Germany is relying on wind for a significant percentage, the variability of wind generation can also play havoc with grid electricity, which still must use fossil fuels to be consistent.
German Power Climbs to Highest in a Week on Less Wind Output
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&si ...
Output from wind turbines, the most unpredictable source of energy, can affect short-term contracts. Germany has more than 19,000 turbines, which can meet about 7 percent of the nation's demand. Wind-power production tomorrow is forecast at about 1,000 megawatts, compared with an average 3,000 megawatts for this time of year, according to an e-mailed report from analysts at Markedskraft Deutschland GmbH.
No one denies what must come in the future...but that doesn't mean we can just turn off the lights and wait until then.
John Bailo
Sutext:
Permalink
Delay And Deny Posted 4:05 am
20 Aug 2007
Buy some solar stocks (or get your parents to buy them for you...I have no idea who reads Grist anyway):
http://bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601084&sid=ac8Ka ...
First Solar Inc. (FSLR US) gained the most since Aug. 07, adding $4.73, or 5.5 percent, to $89.94. The maker of solar-power modules was raised to ``buy'' from ``hold'' by analyst Steve O'Rourke at Deutsche Bank.
John Bailo
Sutext:
Permalink
GreyFlcn Posted 4:50 am
20 Aug 2007
When what they really mean is that they don't want to "Waste" any Republican tax dollars to further Democrat supported programs.
They don't want to raise taxes, they want to raise fees. (Same difference, except for one is privatized)
The NoBid+CostPlus funding program they got in Iraq should be clear evidence that Republicans aren't truly trying to prevent real waste.
http://greyfalcon.net/iraqforsale
_
That said, Renewables get peanuts compared to fossil fuels, and they still thrive.
So it really begs the question about which is getting more "corporate welfare".
http:/greyfalcon.net/fossiltaxes.png
http:/greyfalcon.net/fossiltaxes2.png
Permalink
sunflower Posted 5:27 am
20 Aug 2007
Permalink