Hundreds of clean energy jobs have already been created

August 11, 2010

 Las Vegas, NV – Nevada Senator Harry Reid today hosted a discussion with his Blue Ribbon Panel on Energy at the Desert Research Institute (DRI) focusing on steps Nevada must take to realize its full potential as a leader in clean energy development, which will result in thousands of jobs and a diversified economy.
 
“Clean energy is a growing and increasingly important part of Nevada’s economic future,” Reid said.  “Hundreds of jobs in this new industry have already been created; thousands more are on the way.  Each member of this Panel recognizes that Nevada must diversify its economy to ensure economic prosperity in the years to come.  We will keep pushing forward with new ideas that will make Nevada the envy of every other state.”
 
Reid, Congresswomen Shelley Berkley and Dina Titus, DRI President Steve Wells, NV Energy senior vice president Tony Sanchez, and Energy Works Consulting President Rose McKinney-James discussed a significant step for the state’s clean energy future—the recent agreement to build a north-south transmission line—and previewed the National Clean Energy Summit, which will take place early next month.  They also talked about making Nevada a net exporter of clean energy.
 
Reid established the Nevada Blue Ribbon Panel on Energy in December 2008 to expound upon the progress of the first National Clean Energy Summit.  The panel is comprised of Nevada policymakers, experts, industry leaders, representatives of business and labor, Democrats and Republicans.  
 
The National Clean Energy Summit 3.0, to be held on Tuesday, September 7, at UNLV, will focus on the importance of investing in the clean energy industry to create jobs and fuel our economic recovery. With its vast clean energy resources, Nevada is ground zero in this national effort.  The summit will include the nation’s leading clean energy entrepreneurs, investors, Nevada business and labor leaders, and Nevada state and federal government leaders who will discuss the importance of accelerating our investment in the clean energy economy.