Your Questions About Green Living

Some Policy: Obama Spent $24 Billion on Energy in 2011?

The Congressional Budget Office says that the government provided $24 billion of tax credits and direct subsidies to the energy industry in 2011. Here’s how it was divided up:

$2.5 billion in various tax credits to the fossil fuel industry
$6 billion to the ethanol industry
$16 billion to renewable energy and energy efficiency programs
So, the industry that receives about 10 cents of each dollar of incentives the government provides produces 85% of all the energy to keep America going. And, yet it is the industry that Barack Obama demonizes and wants to punish with higher taxes.

It is important to understand that the various government incentives do not all come in the same form. The hydrocarbon industry takes advantage of tax credits designed to incentivize more investment in exploration and production. Most of it is identical to the kind of depreciation and expensing credits available to every other business in America. However, much of the support to ethanol and green technology is direct subsidies and grants; the government literally sends them a check.

Not only does the oil and gas industry supply us with the vast majority of the energy we need, it returns an average of 41% of net income back to the government in taxes and fees amounting to $85 million every day of the year. Meanwhile, the media is full of stories about bankrupt and struggling green energy companies that are net “takers” rather than “payers” to the Treasury.

With growing outrage over soaring gasoline prices, instead of approving the Keystone Pipeline and policies that would increase supplies, Barack Obama has renewed his attack on oil and gas calling for Congress to “eliminate this oil industry giveaway right away.” He reportedly wants to take the additional taxes from oil and gas and further subsidize green energy. Higher taxes would of course increase gas prices even more.

In 2008 we imported 57% of our oil, now we import 45% of our oil, thank you President Obama?

According to the study, the United States reduced net imports of crude oil last year by 10%, or 1 million barrels a day. The U.S. now imports 45% of its petroleum, down from 57% in 2008, and is on track to meet Obama’s long-term goal, the administration maintains.

Imports have fallen, in part, because the United States has increased domestic oil and gas production in recent years.

U.S. crude oil production increased by an estimated 120,000 barrels a day last year over 2010, the report says. Current production, about 5.6 million barrels a day, is the highest since 2003.

The U.S. has been the world’s largest producer of natural gas since 2009, the report says. Use of renewable sources of energy, such as wind and solar, is still relatively small but has doubled since 2008.

The report credits administration policies for the improvements. It cites initiatives such as the higher fuel efficiency of passenger cars, the jump in renewable energy output, and improved weatherization of 1 million homes.

But independent analysts attribute much of the fall in oil imports to slack U.S. demand in a still-anemic economy. And to a certain degree, they say, the boost in domestic oil and gas production is the result of decisions energy companies made during the George W. Bush administration to develop key reservoirs.

The report, titled “The Blueprint for a Secure Energy Future,” appears aimed, at least in part, at tamping down political fire from Obama’s Republican rivals and other critics who say his administration has not done enough to fight higher gasoline prices.

“We’re experiencing yet another painful reminder of why developing new American energy is so critical to our future,” the report states. “We know that there are no quick fixes to this challenge.”

Domestic gasoline prices rise and fall with global crude oil prices, which have been driven up by the gradual economic recovery and by market jitters over mounting tensions with Iran, one of the world’s largest oil producers. The closing of several U.S. refineries also has pushed gas prices higher.

Most Americans are convinced that Obama and Congress could do more to reduce gasoline prices, according to a recent Gallup poll.

GOP candidates on the campaign trail and some oil industry leaders have charged that Obama’s energy policies stifle domestic production, and they have urged the administration to open as much public land and offshore areas as possible to drilling.

Can we afford Obama?

If Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) Could Enact All Of His Campaign Proposals, Taxpayers Would Be Faced With Financing $874.35 Billion In New Spending Over One White House Term:

Updated February 14, 2008: Obama’s National Infrastructure Reinvestment Bank Will Cost $60 Billion Over Ten Years; Equal To $6 Billion A Year And $24 Billion Over Four Years. Obama: “I’m proposing a National Infrastructure Reinvestment Bank that will invest $60 billion over ten years.” (Sen. Barack Obama, Remarks On Economic Policy, Janesville, WI, 2/13/08)

Obama’s Health Care Plan Will Cost Up To $65 Billion A Year; Equal To $260 Billion Over Four Years. “[Obama] campaign officials estimated that the net cost of the plan to the federal government would be $50 billion to $65 billion a year, when fully phased in, and said the revenues from rolling back the tax cuts were enough to cover it.” (Robin Toner and Patrick Healy, “Obama Calls For Wider And Less Costly Health Care Coverage,” The New York Times, 5/30/07)

Obama’s Energy Plan Will Cost $150 Billion Over 10 Years, Equal To $15 Billion Annually And $60 Billion Over Four Years. “Obama will invest $150 billion over 10 years to advance the next generation of biofuels and fuel infrastructure, accelerate the commercialization of plug-in hybrids, promote development of commercial-scale renewable energy, invest in low-emissions coal plants, and begin the transition to a new digital electricity grid.” (Obama For America, “The Blueprint For Change,” www.barackobama.com, Accessed 1/14/08, p. 25)

Obama’s Tax Plan Will Cost Approximately $85 Billion A Year; Equal To $340 Billion Over Four Years. “[Obama’s] proposed tax cuts and credits, aimed at workers earning $50,000 or less per year, would cost the Treasury an estimated $85 billion annually.” (Margaret Talev, “Obama Proposes Tax Code Overhaul To Help The Poor,” McClatchy Newspapers, 9/19/07)
• Obama’s Plan Would Raise Taxes On Capital Gains And Dividends, And On Carried Interest. Obama’s tax plan includes: “[i]ncreasing the highest bracket for capital gains and dividends and closing the carried interest loophole.” (Obama For America, “Barack Obama: Tax Fairness For The Middle Class,” Fact Sheet, www.barackobama.com, Accessed 1/8/08)
Obama’s Economic Stimulus Package Will Cost $75 Billion. “Barack Obama’s economic plan will inject $75 billion of stimulus into the economy by getting money in the form of tax cuts and direct spending directly to the people who need it most.” (Obama For America, “Barack Obama’s Plan To Stimulate The Economy,” Fact Sheet, www.barackobama.com, 1/13/08)

Obama’s Early Education And K-12 Package Will Cost $18 Billion A Year; Equal To $72 Billion Over Four Years. “Barack Obama’s early education and K-12 plan package costs about $18 billion per year.” (Obama For America, “Barack Obama’s Plan For Lifetime Success Through Education,” Fact Sheet, www.barackobama.com, 11/20/07, p. 15)

Obama’s National Service Plan Will Cost $3.5 Billion A Year; Equal To $14 Billion Over Four Years. “Barack Obama’s national service plan will cost about $3.5 billion per year when it is fully implemented.” (Obama For America, “Helping All Americans Serve Their Country: Barack Obama’s Plan For Universal Voluntary Citizen Service,” Fact Sheet, www.barackobama.com, 12/5/07)

Obama Will Increase Our Foreign Assistance Funding By $25 Billion. “Obama will embrace the Millennium Development Goal of cutting extreme poverty around the world in half by 2015, and he will double our foreign assistance to $50 billion to achieve that goal.” (Obama For America, “The Blueprint For Change,” www.barackobama.com, Accessed 1/14/08, p. 53)

Obama Will Provide $2 Billion To Aid Iraqi Refugees. “He will provide at least $2 billion to expand services to Iraqi refugees in neighboring countries, and ensure that Iraqis inside their own country can find a safe-haven.” (Obama For America, “The Blueprint For Change,” www.barackobama.com, Accessed 1/14/08, p. 51)

Obama Will Provide $1.5 Billion To Help States Adopt Paid-Leave Systems. “As president, Obama will initiate a strategy to encourage all 50 states to adopt paid-leave systems. Obama will provide a $1.5 billion fund to assist states with start-up costs and to help states offset the costs for employees and employers.” (Obama For America, “The Blueprint For Change,” www.barackobama.com, Accessed 1/14/08, p. 15)

Obama Will Provide $1 Billion Over 5 Years For Transitional Jobs And Career Pathway Programs, Equal To $200 Million A Year And $800 Million Over Four Years. “Obama will invest $1 billion over five years in transitional jobs and career pathway programs that implement proven methods of helping low-income Americans succeed in the workforce.” (Obama For America, “The Blueprint For Change,” www.barackobama.com, Accessed 1/14/08, p. 42)

Obama Will Provide $50 Million To Jump-Start The Creation Of An IAEA-Controlled Nuclear Fuel Bank. Obama: “We must also stop the spread of nuclear weapons technology and ensure that countries cannot build — or come to the brink of building — a weapons program under the auspices of developing peaceful nuclear power. That is why my administration will immediately provide $50 million to jump-start the creation of an International Atomic Energy Agency-controlled nuclear fuel bank and work to update the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty.” (Sen. Barack Obama, “Renewing American Leadership,” Foreign Affairs, 7-8/07)

Which internship will help me in my major and field?

I am a construction management fifth year student and had an internship two years ago for an international general contractor. This summer I studied abroad/did research on renewable energy. Anyways, what do you all think?

1) Approach contractors for internship in exchange for school credits.

2) Apply for the Port of _____ in the Civil Engineering department (meet their requirements and they pay at least $12 for 20 hours week, but I have an average gpa).

I want to work in commercial properties but it is really bad where I am. I think working with CE will be helpful in learning from their perspective (also taking Construction engineering elective class this quarter). I want to gain skills that will help me graduate and be useful in my field.

Why would anyone think tying a Solar PV to the grid increases cost, when it decreases cost?

There seesm to be so much misunderstanding about solar electric, and the grid. I you are not ied to the grid you would need batteries for at night and ba weather. The power company would not be able to buy your excess power during the days when you are at work and kid’s at school, then credit you and use those credits so they supply you at night and bad weather. perfect exchange. Grid tied is the least expensive and most reliable solar PV installation, because of the bi-directional connection with the grid. payback is 8-20 years, depending on where you live. In sunny weather like CA, payback can be 8 years at today’s rates, and if prices double 4 years. Then free electric for 20 years because the panels are warranted for 25 years. Why people argue against solar is very purplexing. Works great in CA, NY, NJ, CO and 21 states have power company incentages and there are allowable tax deductions, just like other allowable deductions to know your tax bill down. Why would people argue against renewable energy