Back to OurEnergyLibrary search




The Sun Should Set on Solar Socialism

The Sun Should Set on Solar Socialism

Full Title: The Sun Should Set on Solar Socialism
Author(s): Thomas Schatz, Leslie Paige, and Curtis Kalin
Publisher(s): Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW)
Publication Date: December 1, 2015
Full Text: Download Resource
Description (excerpt):

To the extent that taxpayers pay attention to renewable energy policy, they are likely to be most familiar with the infamous solar panel manufacturer Solyndra, which received $535 million from the Department of Energy’s Loan Guarantee Program (LGP) before the company went bankrupt in 2011. This well-publicized boondoggle opened the door for greater scrutiny of all renewable energy programs and subsidies, which include loan guarantees, grants, tax incentives, and tax credits. Although various parts of these programs are available for biofuels, fuel cells, geothermal, hydrogen, hydropower, solar, and wind, solar is now drawing the most scrutiny because of the amount of federal and state government support it needs to maintain viability.

Energy subsidies have been around since the 1970s, but really took off after Congress passed the Energy Policy Act of 2005.1 The legislation dramatically changed U.S. energy policy by creating commercial and residential tax incentives and loan guarantees for energy production of several types. The Act implemented or extended tax reductions for various forms of energy, including nuclear power, fossil fuels, biofuels, and “clean coal.” It also extended existing subsidies, such as the renewable electricity production credit. Funding for many of these programs was significantly expanded in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), better known as the stimulus bill.

All statements and/or propositions in discussion prompts are meant exclusively to stimulate discussion and do not represent the views of OurEnergyPolicy.org, its Partners, Topic Directors or Experts, nor of any individual or organization. Comments by and opinions of Expert participants are their own.

Sign up for our Press Release Distribution List

    Your Name (required)

    Your Email (required)

    Please sign me up to receive press releases from OurEnergyPolicy.org.