In terms of science and economics, the argument in favor of fossil fuels over renewable energy is an extremely lopsided contest. Here is a video of Robert Bryce's talk to my institute about this, and here is the paper associated with the talk. Still, there are those who insist if we just throw enough taxpayer money at wind, solar, etc., the laws of physics (not to mention supply and demand) will be repealed.
It's heartening to see that there are prominent liberals who agree with Bryce that the argument in favor of fossil fuels is a humanist one in that their use is the best way to raise the well-being of the greatest number of people. The head of the Brookings Institution's Energy Security Initiative is calling for democrats to "get real about U.S. energy policy."
