Project to Create More Than 4,300 Direct and Indirect Nevada Jobs

May 19, 2011

Washington, D.C. – Nevada Senator Harry Reid joined U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu today to announce the Department of Energy’s conditional commitment for a loan guarantee for the Crescent Dunes Solar Energy Project in Tonopah.  This is one of the final steps needed to allow the project to break ground, which will create more than 600 jobs in construction and operations. In addition, more than 4,300 direct and indirect jobs in manufacturing, value-added services and transportation will be induced as a result of the project.  Sponsored by SolarReserve, LLC, the Crescent Dunes Solar Energy Project will be the first of its kind in the United States and the tallest molten salt tower in the world.

“Today’s announcement is about one thing: creating good paying clean energy jobs right here in Nevada,” said Senator Reid.  “Innovative companies like SolarReserve are helping ensure that Nevada can lead the nation in clean energy production, putting people back to work and pushing America toward energy independence.  They deserve all the public and private support we can muster. ”

“Nevada continues to be a leader when it comes to the generation of renewable energy, and this project will not only create hundreds of jobs in the state but will also bring additional clean energy to the region,” said Secretary Chu.  

“The DOE conditional loan guarantee commitment is a substantial milestone in the continuing and successful development of the Crescent Dunes Solar Energy Project,” said Kevin Smith, CEO of SolarReserve. “We appreciate the tremendous support from the DOE’s Loan Programs Office, which further validates the importance, effectiveness and deliverability of this leading U.S.-designed clean energy technology. We will continue to advance our plan to start construction this summer to bring Nevada’s electricity customers the benefits of reliable solar power generated without greenhouse gas emissions. This solar technology is a genuine alternative to baseload coal, nuclear or natural gas burning electricity generation facilities.”