BP (NYSE:BP) Getting $308 Million Government Grant Money

As unbelievable as it may sound, BP (NYSE:BP) is getting a $308 million grant from the federal government. The money is to be used to build a power plant on cotton and alfalfa fields in California's farmland. Part of the money is coming from federal programs while the other part is coming from stimulus funds.

The part coming from the stimulus funds alone is the second largest amount given to a corporation, and the largest in the country benefiting private interests. The grant was announced last year by The U.S. Department of Energy to Hydrogen Energy California, a joint partnership with BP.

Tom Frantz, a local environmental advocate said, "If you're trying to get money out of them, why are you giving them money? If I was the government right now, I would not give BP $300 million to do anything."

When questioned, BP declined comment, but CEO Tony Hayward in 2007 said during the announcement of this venture that, "projects such as these have the potential to help deliver the carbon emission reductions which companies and countries around the world are now seeking."