by John Baker
The News Observer
The Ivanpah Solar Power Facility, established with over $1.5 billion in federal loan guarantees from the U.S. Department of Energy under former President Barack Obama, is facing closure after a decade of operation. The solar energy project has struggled in delivering on its promises, producing less electricity than anticipated while relying on natural gas. In January 2025, Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) announced its decision to terminate its contract with Ivanpah, citing cost-saving measures for customers.
CEO of the American Energy Institute Jason Isaac stated, “Ivanpah is yet another failed green energy boondoggle, much like Solyndra,” adding, “Despite receiving $1.6 billion in federal loan guarantees, it never lived up to its promises, producing less electricity than expected while still relying on natural gas to stay operational.”…
Steve Milloy, senior fellow at the Energy & Environmental Legal Institute, has warned that future green energy initiatives funded by recent legislation could face similar failures. The need for a reevaluation of taxpayer-supported energy projects is crucial.
Milloy said, “Soon we will be looking at failures of larger magnitude than Green New Deal spending. No green project relying on taxpayer subsidies has ever made any economic or environmental sense,” concluding, “It’s important that President Trump stop the taxpayer bleeding by ending what he accurately calls the Green New Scam.”
