Lamar Gets The Fedgov To Break Down Its Energy Subsidies

About one year ago, Senator Lamar Alexander requested Energy Information Administration conduct an analysis of federal energy subsides and, as the Wall Street Journal reports, the EIA has come through with the request: Since 1999, federal energy subsidies have more than doubled--from $8.2 billion to $16.6 billion in 2007. Who gets the most? "Renewables" landed $4.8 billion last year, but that includes $3.25 billion for ethanol and other biofuels. Coal and cleaner-burning "refined" coal took home $3.3 billion, while the nuclear power industry got $1.3 billion. In all, about 40% of the energy subsidy pie went toward electricity production; the rest for things like alternative fuels and energy conservation.