Although unstable energy prices and continued political unrest
in many oil-exporting countries have caused many lawmakers to once
again call on Congress to reform U.S. energy policy, serious
legislative action during 2012 appears unlikely. The legislative
gridlock that typically accompanies a presidential election year
has forced energy policy—sometimes an issue that enjoys much
bipartisan agreement—squarely to the back burner.
Also complicating energy politics is the sustained backlash
following the September 2011 collapse of Solyndra LLC, the Fremont,
Calif.-based solar energy technology manufacturer that received
more than $500 million in federal loan guarantees before filing for
bankruptcy.
Additionally, the current fiscal and budgetary constraints
resulting from the U.S.' exploding debt and deficit have stalled
progress on various policy efforts as Congress struggles to adopt
spending and tax reforms. Many of the cuts made so far have come
from renewable energy and energy-efficiency programs, and more cuts
are...
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