The White House held a “Solar Summit” Thursday, continuing to promote subsidies for solar panels just days after a new nonpartisan government report showed restrictions of drilling on federal lands.
President Barack Obama speaks during the Easter Prayer Breakfast, Monday, April 14, 2014, in the East Room of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
The Energy Department announced another $15 million in “solar market pathways” to fund local governments’ use of solar energy. Further, the administration announced at the summit plans for a “Capital Solar Challenge,” directing federal agencies, military bases and other federally subsidized buildings to use solar power.
Solar power took a severe public relations hit after the politically connected California-based Solyndra solar power maker collapsed after getting $600 million from the Department of Energy. But on Thursday, the White House stood firm.
“As part of the president’s all-of-the-above energy strategy, solar energy is helping families and businesses throughout the U.S. access affordable, clean renewable power,” Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz said. “The Energy Department is committed to further driving down the cost of solar energy and supporting innovative community-based programs – creating more jobs, reducing carbon pollution and boosting economic growth.”
But a report by the Congressional Research Service found that “all of the above” might not include a commitment to drilling, despite the administration taking credit for the increased oil and gas production overall despite a big uptick in hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, on private lands.
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