October 21, 2010

 Las Vegas, NV—Nevada Senator Harry Reid today joined officials from Bombard Electric, workers from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and student interns from the UNLV Renewable Energy program in announcing their program that provides solar systems at no cost to schools and churches in Clark County.  Chris Brooks, Renewable Energy Director of Bombard Electric, made at Innovations International Charter School one of the first beneficiaries of this program.
 “This type of project is a triple win for Nevada,” said Reid. “Electrical workers and aspiring engineers win with quality jobs. Our schools and houses of worship win with free electricity for more than a decade. Our economy wins as we lessen our dependence on fossil fuels and create a strong clean industry that employs our most abundance resources- solar energy and our workforce. I thank Bombard and its partners for their willingness to take on risk that helps the economy and helps the community.”

The program is receiving $80 million through NV Energy’s Solar Generations rebate coupled with federal tax credits and accelerated depreciation grant for renewable energy programs funded by the Recovery Act. The program is currently employing 50 electricians from IBEW Local 357 as well as 3 interns from UNLV’s Renewable Energy School. The program is a model that will help UNLV and the IBEW prepare the clean energy workforce of the future.