Interested in what renewable magnificent renewable energy projects you invested in through your tax dollars and lost purchasing power through inflationary spending? Well, the numbers are in for 2007 -- and they're not too pretty. Instead of going for a well-rounded approach to a renewable energy policy,
two-thirds of all federal renewable energy subsidies
and over three-quarters of tax credits all went to one industry. The
least efficient one:
ethanol.
From an optimistic standpoint, that means that a whole 24% of renewable tax credits along with 33% of renewable energy subsidies didn't go to
king corn ethanol producers -- who (
coincidentally?) are dropping like flies
right now. How's that old
saying go ... 'close enough for government work?' Since the heyday of corn ethanol, gas prices have made a historic plunge to less than $39 today, and information about
ethanol's footprint has made it's way to the main stage. Hopefully, the numbers for 2008 saw a little more balance, although it's hard to say. As much enthusiasm as I saw in the solar and
wind industries, oil prices in the first half of '08 made ethanol seem like a panacea.
[via
Treehugger]
It's Energy Independence Day! 
Green Your 4th of July Celebration
The Importance of Pollination - It's Not Just Bee Sex
