ENERGY subsidies have a long history. Governments often argue they are necessary to promote new energies during early developmental stages—think of NASA’s funding for photovoltaics. In America, support like this goes back all the way to land grants for timber extraction in the 1800s. There have been tariffs to support coal, preferential tax treatment for oil and gas, loan guarantees for nuclear power, and so on.
Democracy in America | Energy policy
Blowing hot and cold
How not to subsidise new energy technologies
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