Publicatie Laka-bibliotheek:
Paying for pollution. How Taxpayers Subsidize Dangerous and Polluting Energy Programs (2000)
| Auteur | Green Scissors Report |
| Datum | 2000 |
| Classificatie | 3.01.0.00/33 (VS - ALGEMEEN) |
| Voorkant | 
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Uit de publicatie:
Introduction Every year, the federal government subsidizes the use and production of polluting forms of energy. The amount of money involved is significant. Credible sources estimate that taxpayers contribute anywhere from $4 billion to $30 billion annually to the energy sector (1). These subsidies include tax breaks to the oil and gas industry, special government programs to assist nuclear power utilities, and research programs that encourage coal consumption. In addition, some energy production subsidies are military programs that have a secondary purpose of providing electrical generation. Energy is a necessity for modern life. Yet, energy production from fossil fuels and nuclear power is also a big problem for the environment. At every stage of production, transportation and consumption, these dirty energy sources pose risks to the environment. Every year the United States burns more than 900 million tons of coal. This releases more than 51 tons of mercury and nearly 2 billion tons of carbon dioxide into the air, which contaminates the atmosphere, ponds and forests. Petroleum production and transportation results in the leakage of approximately 280 million barrels of petroleum pet year, contaminating water supplies, poisoning wildlife, and ruining landscapes. Finally, nuclear power for civilian and military use generates toxic waste that is dangerous for generations and for which there is currently no safe disposal option. In order to provide for our energy needs while protecting taxpayers and the environment, we must eliminate subsidies for civilian nuclear and fossil fuel energy industries, giving cleaner sources of energy a chance to compete. We must also question the value of certain military programs which are also justified as energy research. To the extent that the National Ignition Facility (NIF) program is justified as a civilian energy research program, this report finds NIF is not worth building. It is noted that the other, primary, purpose of NIF is as a national security program. This report takes no position on its merits for national security.
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