Sasan

In 2009 he made a pledge at the G-20 summit to phase out fossil fuel subsidies, but last year he put swing state politics ahead of clean energy promises: In June, the Ex-Im board initially did the right thing and rejected the massive Sasan coal project in India because of its outrageous carbon footprint, but Obama pressured the agency to do a U-turn and approve the project.

Michelle Chan: Will U.S. Taxpayers Be Asked to Finance Environmental Devastation in South Africa? Michelle Chan 2011

If American taxpayers are going to be supporting U.S. exports, our money needs to go toward sustainable, environmentally-friendly energy projects which also produce 2-3 times more jobs than fossil fuel export projects, not wasteful and environmentally destructive coal boondoggles like Sasan and Kusile.

Michelle Chan: Will U.S. Taxpayers Be Asked to Finance Environmental Devastation in South Africa? Michelle Chan 2011

It already has agreements with the U.S. Exim Bank to raise $5 billion to fund various power projects and Chinese banks to borrow $12 billion, including for the Sasan project.

Reliance Power in Fund-Raising Talks With U.S., Chinese Banks Saurabh Chaturvedi 2011

Like the Sasan Ansari who stabbed his friend to death thirty-three times.

Prince of Pot Purloined to Prison « Colleen Anderson 2009

In 2009 he made a pledge at the G-20 summit to phase out fossil fuel subsidies, but last year he put swing state politics ahead of clean energy promises: In June, the Ex-Im board initially did the right thing and rejected the massive Sasan coal project in India because of its outrageous carbon footprint, but Obama pressured the agency to do a U-turn and approve the project.

Michelle Chan: Will U.S. Taxpayers Be Asked to Finance Environmental Devastation in South Africa? Michelle Chan 2011

"Chinese banks have already funded $1.1 billion for the Sasan project... now they are looking at Chitrangi and other projects."

Reliance Power in Fund-Raising Talks With U.S., Chinese Banks Saurabh Chaturvedi 2011

The company will use the overseas borrowing to replace an existing rupee loan for its 3,960 megawatt Sasan power project in central India, which will help it in reducing interest payments.

Reliance Power Gets RBI OK for Overseas Loans Saurabh Chaturvedi of Dow Jones Newswires 2011

If American taxpayers are going to be supporting U.S. exports, our money needs to go toward sustainable, environmentally-friendly energy projects which also produce 2-3 times more jobs than fossil fuel export projects, not wasteful and environmentally destructive coal boondoggles like Sasan and Kusile.

Michelle Chan: Will U.S. Taxpayers Be Asked to Finance Environmental Devastation in South Africa? Michelle Chan 2011

The administration often seems to get this, but then undercuts itself with blunders such as the Sasan reversal.

Michelle Chan: U.S. Taxpayer-Funded Bank, Under Pressure From Obama Administration, Gives Green Light to Giant Dirty Coal Plant in India Michelle Chan 2010

But the Sasan reversal wasn't just a victim of swing state politics, it was also the victim of the jobs vs. environment argument, a false dynamic that has nevertheless captivated the minds of many in Washington.

Michelle Chan: U.S. Taxpayer-Funded Bank, Under Pressure From Obama Administration, Gives Green Light to Giant Dirty Coal Plant in India Michelle Chan 2010