Re:Solar and Wind Power So Cheap They’re Outgrowing Subsidies
by tylerl on Thursday September 19, 2019 @11:31PM
(#21023118)
Problem is that if the word "subsidies" is used exclusively to mean a specific and narrow concept around cash transfers when talking about renewables, but then you use the term to include a much broader set of scenarios when talking about fossil fuels, while directly comparing the derived numbers, then you're misusing the language in order to deceive, regardless of all else. You're communicating that the numbers represent the same calculations for both forms of energy, when you know that they actually don't.
Define the terms however you like, as long as you are careful to not to induce people to believe someone that is untrue.
We can measure direct subsidies by measuring real and effective tax rates.
We can measure indirect subsidies like healthcare costs paid by Medicare with subjective valuations of human life and rough estimates of the value of a person's health and contribution to growth in GDP, and future economic security.
But who has the time for this when we're busy paying to help folks who require disaster relief services from the government and NGOs (neither of which are preventing further escalations in costs)