By Barry Goldwater Jr. | East Valley Tribune
Most of the time, I agree with Tom Patterson. We share conservative values. He chairs the Goldwater Institute. However when it comes to the future of energy choice, Tom has missed the mark.
In a recent Tribune commentary, Patterson states, “Companies should be able to deal with solar customers as they please” (East Valley Tribune; Aug. 14).
Tom went on to ask: “Should the Arizona Corporation Commission provide yet another subsidy to solar energy production?” The question implies that solar energy is the only source of energy receiving government subsidies. That is far from the truth.
In a recent study by the Environmental Law Institute it was documented that between 2002 and 2008, fossil fuels have received $72 billion in government subsidies and all renewable energy programs received $29 billion. About half of the renewable subsidies went to corn-based ethanol programs.
Every source of energy gets some tax treatment. Tom and I are in agreement, get rid of all the subsidies. That, however, is not the real world we live in.
If you’d like to discuss energy issues, contact Court Rich, director of Rose Law Group’s Renewable Energy Department at crich@roselawgroup.com
