EnergyEnergy

America's energy policy is riddled with unnecessary subsidies such as loan guarantees, corporate welfare, and special interest tax breaks. Many of the most profitable and powerful energy industries in the world receive federal handouts from cradle to grave. ...More

Today’s intricate web of energy subsidies allows energy companies to cash in on century-old, obsolete tax breaks. Loan guarantees force taxpayers to reimburse lenders if an energy company defaults on projects banks consider too risky.  Taxpayers also pick up the tab for oil spills and abandoned mines, when these bills should be paid by the companies that created the mess in the first place.

Direct subsidies, loan guarantees, price floors, and other financial incentives for mature, profitable industries distort market forces by enabling Congress to choose winners and losers.

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All the latest content from TCS in Energy
Letters & Testimony

TCS Submits Comments on Draft Solicitation for Advanced Fossil Energy Projects

September 10, 2013

TCS Submits Comments on Draft Solicitation for Advanced Fossil Energy Projects On July 2, the Department of Energy (DOE) Loan Programs Office announced a draft loan guarantee solicitation for advanced fossil energy... Read More

Our Take

USEC Posts Net Loss in Second Quarter; Seeking Further Taxpayer Handouts

August 08, 2013

USEC Posts Net Loss in Second Quarter; Seeking Further Taxpayer Handouts The United States Enrichment Corporation (USEC) recently released its midterm financial report and in addition to troubling financials,... Read More

Our Take

Senate Finance Subcommittee Discusses Energy Tax Reform

August 01, 2013

Senate Finance Subcommittee Discusses Energy Tax Reform The Senate Committee on Finance Subcommittee on Energy, Natural Resources, and Infrastructure met Wednesday, July 31 to discuss the... Read More

Our Take

Big Oil Continues to Receive Billions in Taxpayer Subsidies While Profits Soar

July 30, 2013

Big Oil Continues to Receive Billions in Taxpayer Subsidies While Profits Soar As midyear profit results are released this week, the oil and gas industry is asserting itself once more as one of the most lucrative and... Read More

Letters & Testimony

Letter to Energy & Commerce Committee: Support Comprehensive Review of the Renewable Fuel Standard

July 24, 2013

Letter to Energy & Commerce Committee: Support Comprehensive Review of the Renewable Fuel Standard Yesterday, TCS joined 12 other diverse organizations in a letter supporting a comprehensive review of the federal biofuels mandate.... Read More

Letters & Testimony

TCS Testifies on Revenue Sharing before Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee

July 23, 2013

TCS Testifies on Revenue Sharing before Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Today, TCS President Ryan Alexander testified before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on proposed state-federal revenue... Read More

More in-depth material from TCS in Energy
Fact Sheet

Department of Energy: Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing (ATVM) Program

August 29, 2013

Department of Energy: Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing (ATVM) Program Section 136 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA) authorized the Department of Energy Advanced Technology Vehicles... Read More

Fact Sheet

Taxpayer Supports for Biomass in Federal Farm Bill

August 28, 2013

Taxpayer Supports for Biomass in Federal Farm Bill For years, proponents of bioenergy and biofuels promised that the industry would help reduce U.S. dependence on fossil fuels, decrease... Read More

Fact Sheet

Small Modular Reactors: Federal Subsidies for Mini Nukes

July 23, 2013

Small Modular Reactors: Federal Subsidies for Mini Nukes The Department of Energy (DOE) is asking Congress to provide $452 million in taxpayer subsidies to help license up to two experimental small... Read More

Fact Sheet

Federal Subsidies for the United States Enrichment Corporation

July 08, 2013

Federal Subsidies for the United States Enrichment Corporation The United States Enrichment Corporation (USEC) was established in 1992 as a wholly-owned federal entity until it was privatized in 1998.... Read More

TCS appearances in the media in Energy

Should Taxpayers Back Reactors?

September 13, 2013 | Orlando Sentinel

Supporters call it smart energy policy. Critics have dubbed it "Solyndra on steroids." An energy bill that President Bush signed into law... Read More

The Next Solyndra? $8 Billion U.S. Loan Guarantee for Nuke Reactors Too Risky

September 11, 2013 | The Tampa Bay Tribune

Think what you want about nuclear power. Maybe it’s the best way to generate electricity, and maybe it’s the worst. If you are a taxpayer,... Read More

Mini-nuclear plants the next frontier of US power supply—or the next Solyndra?

July 31, 2013 | FOX Business

Watch the latest video at video.foxnews.com A boon to the economy? Or a boondoggle? That's the debate raging over a new nuclear technology... Read More

The Fair Act of 2013

July 24, 2013 | WJLA Capital Insider

Alexander interview July 23, 2013 The Fair Act of 2013, a bill sponsored by Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), would establish a partnership... Read More

Landrieu disappointed at Obama administration

July 24, 2013 | The Advocate

WASHINGTON - U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu said Tuesday it was tragic that the Obama administration opposed legislation that would generate... Read More

Weekly Wastebasket

Our weekly reality-check for federal spending. View All

April 26, 2013

MOX Not Populi

Volume XVIII No. 17: Just how far will a member of Congress go to protect his pork? We’ve seen a lot of... Read More