April 14, 2009

Las Vegas, NV – Nevada Senator Harry Reid took part today in two events highlighting the clean energy revolution beginning in the Silver State.

Reid first participated in the commissioning of Nevada’s first wind turbine in a ceremony with the Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC) of Southern Nevada and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local #357. Nevada possesses significant wind resources, and the JATC and IBEW are working together on their curriculum for a wind turbine installation program and will start classes this summer. The classes focus on the installation of wind turbine ensuring proper installation and safe practices when working with electricity. There is also a training program for installation of solar photovoltaic panels.

Reid then hosted a town hall discussion on creating jobs through clean energy. In addition to wind, Nevada is home to enormous potential in solar and geothermal energy as well. Reid believes our state will lead a clean energy revolution that lessens our dependence on dirty unstable energy sources while putting thousands of Nevadans back to work and generating billions of dollars of investment in our economy. Reid recently delivered to the state $44 million in economic recovery funding for clean energy and weatherization projects that will create jobs soon.

“Our state is poised to lead a clean energy revolution in this country,” Reid said. “As we saw today, there is great potential to create jobs through renewable energy. I am hopeful and encouraged our state is moving toward a clean energy future after today’s events.”