We're The Energy Department And We Don't Give A Crap

Undeterred by the Solyndra scandal, the Energy Department has approved $4.9 billion in loan guarantees to solar power projects. The department beat the end of the fiscal year by hours, and the bulk of the money went to projects in California. They include a 250-megawatt photovoltaic plant in San Luis Obispo and a 230 megawatt plant in North Los Angeles County. One loan guarantee covers the installation of photovoltaic panels on the roofs of buildings in 28 states and the District of Columbia. Energy is also backing a cellulose ethonol plant in Hugoton, Kansas, not far from Dodge City. In the Solyndra case, the company went bankrupt and laid off 1,000 workers after accepting $535 million in federal loan guarantees.