CITIZEN POWER ALLIANCE

Energy companies are airing commercials extolling their efforts to invest in alternative forms of energy. Lawmakers say they are committing more federal dollars to renewable energy technology. But sidestepping all the rhetoric, how much does the U.S. actually invest in energy research and incentives, and is the investment having any dampening effect on the domestic demand for high-priced energy imports?

The statistical arm of the Energy Department recently provided some answers with the release of a 274-page report laying out where taxpayer dollars go when it comes to energy investments.

The federal government spent roughly $16.6 billion in fiscal year 2007 on energy subsidies, according to the Energy Information Administration. This total is more than double the $8.2 billion (in 2007 dollars) spent in fiscal year 1999, the study said.

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