News From

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 16, 2002

Contacts:            Craig Cox, 303-679-9331

                          Michael Neary, 602-253-8180

State Legislators Hailed for Clean-Energy Caucus

—New Bipartisan Group Seeks to Advance Understanding and Awareness of New Energy Technologies

Members of Arizona’s business and environmental communities applauded the creation of a bipartisan clean-energy coalition in the state legislature yesterday.  “Arizona is the nation’s leading solar state,” said Michael Neary, executive director of the Arizona Solar Energy Industries Association.  “This new caucus will help showcase Arizona’s leadership in solar and other clean-energy technologies.”  Neary, who also represents the recently formed Arizona Coalition for New Energy Technologies, an 18-member business coalition, added that “renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies represent a dynamic growth industry for the United States, and particularly for Arizona.”

The Arizona Renewables and Energy Efficiency Caucus was launched Wednesday by State Senators Scott Bundgaard (R-Glendale) and Harry Mitchell (D-Tempe), along with Representatives Randy Graf (R-Green Valley) and Debra Norris (D-Sells).  A letter (copy attached) circulated by these legislators states that the caucus will inform its members about new developments in renewable and efficient energy technologies without advocating specific legislation or policies.  The letter invites all interested legislators to join the caucus, adding that the group plans to hold briefings and site visits in the future.  Representatives Laura Knaperek (R-Tempe) and Tom O’Halleran (R-Sedona) were the first legislators to join this new caucus.

“This new legislative caucus is based on similar caucuses that have enjoyed success in the U.S. House and Senate, and in the Colorado legislature,” said Craig Cox, executive director of the Arizona Coalition for New Energy Technologies.  Cox noted that the U.S. House Renewables and Energy Efficiency Caucus, chaired by former Rep. Matt Salmon (R-Arizona) during his tenure in Congress, currently has 192 members representing 41 states.  “New energy technologies offer excellent economic growth opportunities and environmental benefits to all parts of the state and the nation,” he added.

The newly formed Arizona Coalition for New Energy Technologies includes 18 businesses and non-profit organizations from around Arizona supporting environmentally responsible economic growth through the efficient use of the state’s abundant and clean sources of energy.

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