The RPS Debate - Matt Baker, a utility regulatory commissioner from Colorado, support renewable portfolio standards because they have spurred economic growth and innovation.

Wind, solar, and other renewables get federal subsidies in the form of production tax credits or 30% cash grants-in-lieu in addition to accelerated depreciation, loan guarantees, and other tax breaks.  For all the bluster about the subsidies to fossil and nuclear I have to ask:  Other than CCS and related research work, when did fossil plants or the fossil fuel industry get actual cash grants or production tax credits?  Yeah, they got deductions and foreign tax credits, but show me one that got a grant.  Nukes have gotten loan guarantees but I do not recall hearing about any getting a PTC or grant.

And, I love the term "federal money".  There is no such thing--it is taxpayer money removed from their wallets by coercion.  So, if a renewable facility needs a $22/MWh tax credit or a cash-in-lieu grant to be economical, then it is not saving the ratepayers any money or even breaking even because the ratepayers collectively pay for it in taxes while big corporations (GE comes to mind) benefit by selling their "renewable" generating systems (and the fossil-fueled generators to back them up) paid for partially by taxpayer money while they avoid paying taxes themselves.

I think perhaps one could make a good argument that these activities don't meet the "smell test".