they had the psydo stigma of being associated with fossel fuels
True.
But also their competition for Gov. support (both $ and regulation design) was supported by a large cadre of lobbyists, had high employee counts and economic impact while CPST was not part of such a profile like the rage of the day(s) - solar, fuel cells, etc.
That stuff hasn't changed and only regs not designed to pick winners and losers, based on "religious zeal" as was seen last eight years, would be a government action beneficial to CPST since they don't have the same lobby/political/economic clout as those other segments.
MHO,
Bill