National Leaders to Focus on Clean Energy to Create Jobs, Fuel Economic Recovery
Washington, D.C. – – Nevada will once again host the nation’s premier conversation about the importance of the transformation to a clean energy economy, with this year’s focus on investment and access to capital in the job-creating clean energy industry. “National Clean Energy Summit 3.0: Investing in American Jobs,” will be held on Tuesday, September 7, at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). That announcement was made today by Nevada Senator Harry Reid, Center for American Progress Action Fund President and CEO John Podesta, and UNLV President Neal Smatresk. This will be the third year that the nation’s top investors, elected officials, labor leaders and environmental organizations will gather in Las Vegas to talk about the next steps to build on the progress being made in this important industry that will help our economy recover and reduce our reliance on oil and other fossil fuels.
In only a few short years these dynamic summits have become the country’s most visible and influential gatherings of leaders and top policymakers helping to bring about the transformation to a clean energy economy. Under the leadership of Sen. Reid, Nevada has become the leader in clean energy, creating thousands of jobs, with the potential of creating tens of thousands more as additional projects come online.
“Nevada is the perfect place to hold this important national discussion,” Reid said. “Our state is leading the way in creating jobs and capitalizing on its vast clean energy resources, which include solar, wind and geothermal. This is a great opportunity for national leaders to see what we are doing here so other states can follow suit.”
“Investments in clean energy have created thousands of jobs in the midst of an economic downturn,” noted Podesta. “This year’s summit will focus on job creation by identifying policies that help Nevada and other states harness private capital to invest in clean energy and efficiency projects. A commitment to build a clean energy economy will speed recovery, create good paying jobs, and provide certainty and stability for investors, markets, and American companies."
The distinguished guests joining Senator Reid and Mr. Podesta include Chair of the Council of Economic Advisors for the Obama Administration Christina Romer, U.S. Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Thomas Donohue and energy executive T. Boone Pickens.
“UNLV is honored to host the third annual National Clean Energy Summit,” said Smatresk. “In addition to highlighting Nevada’s emergence as an industry leader, the summit gives the university an opportunity to be a part of discussions that will shape the future of clean energy development in our nation.”
The National Clean Energy Summit 3.0 is being sponsored by the Center for American Progress Action Fund, US Senator Harry Reid and UNLV. For more information about Summit 3.0, please visit www.cleanenergysummit.org.
WHO: Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid; John Podesta, President, Center for American Progress Action Fund; Christina Romer, Chair of the Council of Economic Advisors for the Obama Administration; Thomas Donohue, President and CEO, U.S. Chamber of Commerce; energy executive T. Boone Pickens; Peter Darbee, Chairman, CEO and President of PG&E Corporation (NYSE: PCG); Jim Murren, Chairman and CEO, MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM); Michael Yackira, President and CEO, NV Energy (NYSE: NVE); John Doerr, venture capital, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers; and host Neal Smatresk, President, UNLV. Additional names to be released soon.
WHAT: NCES 3.0 will bring together clean energy entrepreneurs, institutional investors, Nevada business and labor leaders, and Nevada State and Federal government leaders to discuss various aspects of creating clean energy jobs, with a focus on helping companies in Nevada and beyond find access to the capital that will be essential for rapid clean energy project development and construction.
WHEN: September 7, 2010
# # #
MEDIA CONTACT:
Kate Turner Whiteley/Wendy Zamaripa
Kirvin Doak Communications
702.737.3100
[email protected]
[email protected]