The fedgov has mandated a certain percent of energy be derived from "alternative" sources. Same for many state governments.
So big electric power generating utilities, have to go along, to get along, and to get loans, licensing, permitting, etc.
A lot of crony capitalism involves lawyers who draft enormously complicated contracts, to secure or grant financing, out of public coffers, direct or guaranteed. Lawyers, accountants, securities brokers all earn fees for such instruments.
By the time it blows up, because the underlying economics were based on voodoo, the checks for the fees have already been cashed.
Such is the revolving door of elected, appointed offices, K street, financiers, lawyers, accountants, bond rating agencies, etc.
You say we need a railroad from Bakersfield to Stockton? No problema. We will have to run it on biofuels, however. You know, liquid transport fuel derived from lawn cuttings, deep fat frying grease, trash, etc.
What will that fuel cost? Oh, about $13 per gallon. But the differential wil be buried in various department general fund budgets, state and federal grants, financing, etc.
At the end of the day, it would take a team of genius forensic accountants weeks to discern what really goes on.
I have tried such exercizes with "redevelopment" and "low cost public housing" and it is mind-boggling.
Those interests (government employees, lawyers, accountants, financiers, etc.) all have a vested interest in two thing:
1. It is too complicated for mortals to unravel, and
2. That it continues.