[aianus]

Can anyone explain to me these oft-mentioned government subsidies on fossil fuels?

Gas has 25% taxes where I live. Surely that's the opposite of 'subsidizing' it (vs, for example, electricity which is taxed at 5%).

What am I missing?

[Symbiote]

Gas meaning petrol?

The tax is over 200% in most of the European Union, yet still doesn't fully cover the cost of roads and the external effects of pollution.

Some countries also subsidise it, such as by paying for prospecting or research.

[Graphon1]

In the USA,

- Strategic Petroleum Reserve - LIHEAP - exemption for farm vehicles on fuel

See more: http://www.forbes.com/sites/energysource/2012/04/25/the-surp...

Some people construe foreign military adventures such as Iraq 1991 and Iraq 2003 as oil subsidies. Without those, oil markets would be less stable, and consequently oil would be much less attractive as a fuel.

[dannypgh]

It's supply side. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_subsidies