NextEra Energy has received more federal subsidies since 2000 than almost any other company in the U.S., according to a new report.
The Juno Beach-based company (NYSE: NEE) ranked No. 2 on a list of recipients of federal grants and tax credits compiled by nonprofit research organization Good Jobs First.
NextEra, Florida Power & Light's parent company, has received $1.9 billion in federal subsidies in the past 15 years, according to the report.
During that time, the company has invested more than $1 billion in renewable energy and created thousands of construction jobs and hundreds of full-time positions, NextEra spokeswoman Sarah Gatewood said in an email.
"The programs were put in place during the recession to create jobs and increase renewable energy investment – which for NextEra Energy, is exactly what they have accomplished," she said.
The firm is one of six companies who received more than $1 billion in federal grants or tax credits since 2000. Spain-based energy company Iberdrola topped the list, at about $2.2 billion.
Good Jobs First's report found that two-thirds of the $68 billion in federal subsidies awarded during the past 15 years have gone to large corporations.
"We now see that big business dominates federal subsidy spending the way it does state and local programs," Philip Mattera, principal author of the study, said in a news release.
NextEra has also received $75 million in state and local funding since 2007, as well as $2.3 billion in federal loans since 2000.
Florida state and local awards totaled $3.3 billion across nearly 3,000 companies since 1995. Scripps Research Insitute in Jupiter has landed the most funding, at $545 million, followed by Virginia-based Northrop Grumman at $472 million.
Click here to search Good Jobs First's subsidy database.
