flogged dead horse

Study: US Gave $72 Billion in Fossil Fuel Subsidies Since 2002

Between 2002 and 2008, the federal government gave $72 billion in subsidies to fossil fuels through research initiatives, tax incentives and other programs. At the same time, government spending on traditional renewable energy sources such as wind and solar totaled just $12 billion. Another $17 billion went to ethanol made from corn.