As the fate of an important renewable energy grant program has earned a spot in the Senate’s tax bill, we thought it’d be timely to share a telling info-graphic that was released — and subsequently circulated widely — a little over a year ago.
The numbers come from a report of the Environmental Law Institute entitled, “Estimating U.S. Government Subsidies to Energy Sources: 2008-2008.” As you can see, conventional fossil fuels received the lion’s share of direct and indirect support at the federal level.
If renewable energy is to become a meaningful, lasting part of our country’s energy mix, it’s reasonable to suggest that this imbalance needs to be addressed. And even though a one-year extension is, as David Roberts of Grist points out, a fairly piecemeal approach, it will be a HUGE win for commercial renewable energy projects and green jobs creation in America.
See GetSolar’s previous post for more on how clean energy advocates are helping the cause. And see California Senator Diane Feinstein’s op-ed in Politico for more details on how extending the grant program would increase the number of clean energy jobs in America.
