European Lessons on Renewable Energy Subsidies

American Legislator ^ | May 29, 2013 | Todd Wynn & John Eick

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Considering how important and ubiquitous energy is for virtually all of life’s activities, it should come as no surprise that energy policy often dominates the agendas in legislative chambers in each of the fifty states and on Capitol Hill. Historically, most of the energy debate in many of these legislative bodies has centered almost exclusively on ensuring that citizens have ready access to affordable and reliable energy.

Unfortunately, over the past several years, the energy debate has shifted. Instead of worrying about the cost and dependability of energy, many legislators are now focusing on ways in which certain politically preferred energy sources—most commonly wind and solar—can be deployed in favor of more conventional sources. These policymakers and other environmental advocates will often point to Europe as models for how governments can best encourage the use of “green” energy sources.

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Europe is getting a clue. Unfortunately, we are not.