The report, which totals 128 pages, expects up to to 1,000 megawatts of solar energy developed in Arizona in the next 13 years. In an environment of fear to lose jobs to lower-wage countries due to globalization, this announcement must have been welcome in the state, especially bearing in mind that solar jobs are usually high-paying ones, rather than low pay manufacturing employment. "New approaches to energy efficiency and the development of the state's clean energy resources will create good, high-wage jobs for Arizonans," said Arizona Department of Commerce Director Jan Lesher.
On top of that, greenhouse emissions are expected to be cut in the state by 400,000 tons a year with the expected new solar capacity.
"Developing these technologies will provide substantial economic benefit for Arizona while reducing air pollutant emissions, creating jobs, and redirecting the amount of money that flows out of state for energy," said Janet Napolitano, Arizona's Governor. "I've long said Arizona is the 'Saudi Arabia of solar energy' within the United States, yet the vast solar resource of the state and its economic potential remain largely untapped." Meeting this potential seems to be a strategic need for the state, as today around 60% of the total energy being used (at an expense of over $10 billion) is imported.
The creation of the Arizona Sustainability Partners program and a marketing program to attract solar investors to the state are among the initiatives suggested by the plan to develop the solar industry in Arizona. On top of that, the Grand Canyon state currently has renewable portfolio standard (RPS), whose target is expected to be lifted; among the tools suggested to achieve it, the funds dedicated to renewable energy are expected to increase to over $50 m a year (from $13.5 m today), upon the implementation of the Renewable Energy Standard and Tariff (REST).
For additional information: www.azcommerce.com.
