Question: Energy and Environment

The federal government heavily subsidizes coal, oil and gas companies . Do you support ending these subsidies while continuing incentives for renewable energy solutions that will protect our environment for centuries to come?

FCNL’S PERSPECTIVE:

For nearly one hundred years, the U.S. government has provided tax breaks and other subsidies to encourage the production of coal, oil and gas. Eliminating various subsidies to the fossil fuel industry would save taxpayers between $47 to $61 billion over the next five year. In contrast, the top six U.S. oil corporations alone netted $115 billion in profits for the first three quarters of 2011.

U.S. policy should shift to support wind, solar and other renewable energy sources to power the nation. Fossil fuels pollute the environment and exacerbate global warming. Federal policies which now encourage fossil fuel production should be redirected towards energy resources that will sustain the health, welfare and security of this and future generations.

Eliminating these fossil fuel subsidies could also save money. The nonpartisan Green Scissors Report has identified some $282 billion in taxpayers subsidies, tax breaks and other programs that encourage pollution.

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