Green alternatives cheaper?

Sometimes, sure. Sometimes after the technology supports them.

Sometimes, though, the green alternatives are cheaper because some of the cost is hidden:

"We're only going to look for the type of energy that will be economically feasible for us and our customers," McCloud said. [Is he serious? "Alternative" energy is always dearer. If it were cheaper it would already be in use!]

Yup. And interestingly enough, when "alternative" medicine passes the tests demanded in the scientific method, they tend to become "mainstream".

At GM, the use of landfill gas saves the plant approximately $500,000. The gas is captured and processed by Renovar Shreveport LLC, then transported to GM's facility via a seven-mile pipeline. The landfill gas represents one-third of total energy used at the plant. AEP decided to pursue renewable energy generation for SWEPCO following the recent extension of a 10-year federal tax credit for renewable energy resources". [Now we're talking! It's only cheaper because of a tax break – meaning that taxes elsewhere will go up – so the consumer still loses]

I am constantly hearing that our most heavily-used resources would be a lot more expensive than they appear – and green alternatives a lot more competitive – if they weren't subsidized. What subsidies? In what amount? And are any of these being manipulated or double-counted? No one has ever come up with a list of the various subsidies by source and amount, when I've asked. Usually, the request prompts a change of subject.

However, taking the notion of subsidies at face value, it occurs to me that a complete ban on subsidies would put a stop to a lot of arguments. If virgin paper is "really" more expensive than recycled paper, and only looks cheaper because of subsidies, then getting rid of the subsidies would cause people to switch to recycled quite spontaneously. Likewise, if meat is a low in cost as it is because of heavy subsidies to the Meat Industry, removing those subsidies would convert more people into vegetarians.

However, we should be consistent. If subsidies for our "wasteful" ways are ended, then we should also do away with any existing subsidies for alternatives, green or otherwise. If they're truly competitive, let them compete. And if they win, then we'll know which is better.