Thursday, October 20, 2011

Taxpayer-Supported Renewable Energy Projects by the Numbers (ContributorNetwork)

Alternative energy sources provide an Earth-friendly solution to fossil fuel and carbon emission causing power sources. Opponents to solar, wind and hydro power do not typically take issue with the use of renewable energy sources but the viability of the industry to function without government subsidies. The recent bankruptcy of Solyndra brought the issue of taxpayer funding for renewable energy companies into the forefront of the news cycle.

Here are some facts and figures about the amount of taxpayer money spent to bolster the solar industry in America:

2.3 billion: Dollars of green energy tax credits included in President Barack Obama's American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

57:

Percent the cheapest solar power manufacturer fell in the stock market this year. First Solar hit its lowest stock prices ever in early October.

30: Percent American-based SunPower fell in the stock market this year.

545 million: Taxpayer dollars funneled to Solyndra through subsidized government loans.

0: Workers hired through a government program that issued $737 million in guaranteed loans to the Nevada Dunes Solar Energy project.

900: Solar and clean energy related projects that each received a share of $11 million from the Rural Energy for America Program grant program in August.

2009: Year the $7 billion Renewable Energy Grant Program funds became available through President Obama's stimulus plan. Grant expenditures are currently being audited by government investigators.

852 million: Dollars loaned for the Genesis Solar Project in August.

2015: Year of deadline for subsidies from corn-generated ethanol to generate 15 billion gallons of fuel. Terms outlined in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 also require 36 billions of fuel be generated by 2022.

1,200: Companies that attended the Solar Power International convention in Dallas this week to promote products.

2,600: Projects that garnered tax funds to support and promote solar and wind power by the 2009 stimulus bill. The projects are among those currently being investigated. The Treasury inspector general does not expect the evaluation to be completed until 2012.

47: States where companies are under investigation for inflating costs associated with grant projects by the Treasury Department. Companies in Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia are also involved in the fiscal review.

0: Jobs resulting from $58 million of taxpayer funds given to the Evergreen Solar company of Massachusetts. The manufacturer filed for bankruptcy with $485.6 million of debt.

44: Percent of America's corn crop used for ethanol production.

20: Electric car charging stations built in Oregon from a $2 million government grant.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/environment/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ac/20111018/us_ac/10210015_taxpayersupported_renewable_energy_projects_by_the_numbers

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