E2-Wire

Sen. Alexander: Forget ‘Big Oil,’ cut tax breaks for ‘Big Wind’

by Andrew Restuccia - 05/18/11 8:56 PM ET

Although he voted against the Democrats’ tax breaks repeal bill, Alexander suggested Wednesday the he could be supportive of a broader effort to eliminate subsidies for a range of energy sectors. He said part of the savings should be used for energy research and development.

“I wonder whether some of these long-term subsidies for energy, whether ‘Big Oil’ or ‘Big Wind,’ might better be spent for research,” Alexander said.

“To continue to subsidize over the long-term a mature industry isn’t appropriate,” he added later.

Tags