Another: U.S. GOVERNMENT WELFARE FOR OIL INDUSTRY $114.6 BILLION ANNUALLY The U.S. federal government provides up to US$ 114.6 billion in subsidies annually to support the extraction, production and use of petroleum, such as research and development and export financing. The federal government also spends up to $1.6 billion=20 yearly on regulatory oversight, pollution cleanup and liability=20 costs connected to the oil industry, the group said. In addition,=20 U.S. Defense Department spending allocated to safeguard the=20 world's petroleum resources totals $55 billion to $96 billion a=20 year, according to the International Centre for Technology=20 Assessment. Tax subsidies don't end at the federal level, as the=20 group said most state income taxes are based on oil firms' lower=20 federal tax bills, which result in companies paying US $123 million=20 to $323 million less in state taxes.=A0 (C) Reuters Limited 1998. The renewable energy and energy conservation industry sectors are concerned that the subsidies distort the free market and make renewables less economically competitive. They are calling for a levelling of the economic playing field. Either the renewable and conservation=20 industries are given the same subsidies. Or, the subsidies are=20 withdrawn from the oil industry. It is time, they say, for honest free enterprise. It will be good for the economy, they say, and it will result in cheap and substantial reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. ******************************************************************** -- Harmon Seaver, MLIS CyberShamanix Work 920-203-9633 Home 920-233-5820 hseaver@cybershamanix.com http://www.cybershamanix.com/resume.html