U.S. REP. GABRIELLE GIFFORDS JOINS WITH ENVIRONMENT ARIZONA TO RELEASE SOLAR REPORT

Study details how solar power can enhance energy security and reduce pollution

TUCSON, AZ – April 6, 2010 – (RealEstateRama) — U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords on Tuesday will join with representatives of Environment Arizona in releasing a report on how solar energy can be used to power our homes, businesses, farms and neighborhoods.“This report shows the possibilities of solar energy and how solar is an achievable path to our energy security,” said Giffords. “We still have work to do before solar energy can make up a large percentage of America’s energy needs, but we are moving in the right direction.”

The report, Building a Solar Future: Repowering America’s Homes, Businesses and Industry with Solar Energy, highlights the potential of solar energy and how solar power can enhance energy security and reduce pollution.

It also identifies obstacles to wider use of solar in the United States and discusses a combination of policies that could allow solar to meet 10 percent of America’s energy needs.

Environment Arizona is a citizen-based, non-profit, non-partisan environmental advocacy group working for clean air, clean water and open space.

Giffords is a member of the House Science and Technology Committee and one of the leading solar proponents in Congress. Last week, she announced introduction of the Solar Schools Act, which would make it more affordable for schools to install solar panels to reduce electricity costs.

The Solar Schools Act would allow schools to use proceeds from tax-exempt bonds to enter into pre-paid contracts for renewable energy. Publically owned utilities already are granted just such an exemption to enter into similar contracting agreements. The bill would extend that exemption to local government entities.

Last year, Giffords introduced the Solar Technology Roadmap Act, a bill that will increase solar funding to the U.S. Department of Energy and help focus research and development funding through a plan created by a private/public committee. The roadmap provision is modeled on the successful National (now International) Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors, which has been instrumental in helping semiconductor technology advance rapidly over the past two decades

The Solar Technology Roadmap Act was approved by a bipartisan majority in the House in October.

Tuesday’s press conference will take place at the city of Tucson’s William Clements Recreation Center. In March 2005, the facility was equipped with solar panels to power the fitness center portion of the building.
WHAT: U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and Bret Fanshaw of Environment Arizona release report on “Building a Solar Future”
WHEN: 10 a.m., Tuesday, April 6
WHERE: William Clements Recreation Center, 8155 E. Poinciana Drive