U.S. REP. GABRIELLE GIFFORDS ANNOUNCES UPCOMING SOLAR ENERGY FORUMS
Congresswoman’s 40th Solar Power 101 event will be held Tuesday in Green Valley
TUCSON, AZ – October 19, 2010 – (RealEstateRama) — U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords today announced that the 40th of her popular Solar Power 101 events will be held Tuesday in Green Valley, with future events held in Marana, Sierra Vista and Tucson.
“These forums are a way for Southern Arizonans to learn more about solar and decide if it is right for them,” said Giffords. “I firmly believe that solar is right for our state, our economy and our environment. Arizona is the nation’s sunniest state and we should be the nation’s leader in the use of solar energy.”
At the Green Valley event, Southwestern Solar will give a detailed overview of how solar works, what it costs and who should consider going solar. A representative of Tucson Electric Power Co. will talk about available rebates for solar and members of Giffords’ staff will present information on energy efficiency.
Giffords, one of the most passionate supporters of solar energy in Congress, held the first Solar Power 101 in November 2007. Since then, they have been held throughout the 8th Congressional District.
Next week’s Solar Power 101 follows the release of the first-ever National Solar Jobs Census, a report showing that Arizona has the fourth-largest number of solar energy companies and the eighth-largest number of solar energy jobs in the country.
The census, prepared by the non-profit Solar Foundation in Washington, D.C., determined that Arizona has an estimated 230 solar energy firms. Only California, Pennsylvania and Colorado have more. And with an estimated 3,800 solar energy jobs, Arizona comes in eighth behind California, Pennsylvania, Texas, Michigan, Wisconsin, Colorado and Georgia.
Giffords’ advocacy for solar energy has attracted widespread attention. She was recognized in June as the 2010 Advocate of Optics by The Optical Society of America. The 94-year-old international organization said Giffords was honored because she is an enthusiastic advocate for science policy issues, with particular regard to the advancement of the science of light.
The optics award praised another Giffords’ bill, the Solar Technology Roadmap Act, for proposing an increase for solar funding to the U.S. Department of Energy. The congresswoman’s bill will help guide research and development funding through a plan developed by a private/public advisory committee. The legislation was passed by the House last year and awaits action by the Senate.
Space at the Solar Power 101 events is limited. To reserve a space, email RSVPsolar (at) mail.house (dot) gov or call (520) 881-3588 in Tucson or (520) 459-3115 in Sierra Vista.
A schedule of future Solar Power 101 events is included. Media is welcome to attend.
WHAT: U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords’ office to hold Solar Power 101 forum
WHEN: 2-4 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2010
WHERE: Joyner-Green Valley Branch Library, 601 N. La Cañada Drive, Green Valley
WHAT: U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords’s office to hold Solar Power 101 forum
WHEN: 5:30-7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2010
WHERE: Wheeler Taft Abbett Sr. Branch Library, 7800 N. Schisler Drive, Marana
WHAT: U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords’ office to hold Solar Power 101 forum
WHEN: 5:30-7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2010
WHERE: Cochise College, Student Union Conference Room, 901 N. Colombo Avenue, Sierra Vista
WHAT: U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords’ office to hold Solar Power 101 forum
WHEN: 5:30-7:30 p.m., Monday, Nov. 15, 2010
WHERE: Himmel Park Branch Library, 1035 N. Treat Ave., Tucson
WHAT: U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords’ office to hold Solar Power 101 forum
WHEN: 5:30-7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2010
WHERE: Woods Memorial Branch Library, 3455 N. First Ave., Tucson
CONTACT
C.J. Karamargin
Communications Director
U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords
Arizona’s 8th Congressional District
(520) 881-3588 or (520) 909-8482
