Synfuels subsidies: what some call insurance, others call a giveaway

Journal Article · Sat May 07 04:00:00 EDT 1983 · Natl. J.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5640737

Mosher, L

The Synthetic Fuels Corporation, with nearly $15 billion at its disposal, has had expenses of $12.4 million and committed $821,000 toward achieving a congressionally mandated goal of 2 million bbl/d by 1992. (The US imports about one-third of the 15 million bbl/d it consumes.) The corporation considers 16 project applications (of over 140 in 3 solicitations) viable, but has not approved any. Of six applications for a targeted solictation of shale oil developers, four are considered viable. Bills have been introduced in Congress to kill, to reduce, and to redirect the federal synfuels program from commercial to pilot-scale R and D operations. Environmental critics are becoming more vocal. With Exxon and others retiring from the synfuels field, the energy industry appears ambivalent at best about pushing synfuels now; synfuels remain a gamble.

• OSTI ID: 5640737
• Journal Information: Natl. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Natl. J.; (United States); ISSN NAJOD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
293000 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Policy
Legislation
& Regulation
295000* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Hydrogen & Synthetic Fuels
ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES
FINANCIAL INCENTIVES
FUELS
INDUSTRY
PUBLIC POLICY
SUBSIDIES
SYNTHETIC FUELS
SYNTHETIC FUELS INDUSTRY