Cantwell: Solar Park in Kittitas Co. Will Create Hundreds of Jobs and Add to Washington's Reputation as a Clean Energy Leader
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) participated in a telephone press conference announcing plans to install a 400-acre solar park on property north of Cle Elum, Washington by the Teanaway Solar Reserve.The Teanaway Solar Reserve is designed to generate about 75 megawatts of renewable energy -- enough to power approximately 45,000 households -- making it the largest photovoltaic (PV) solar project ever proposed in the Northwest.
For years, Cantwell has worked to extend a number of clean energy tax incentives for renewable energy investment.
Cantwell’s Statement, As Prepared for Delivery
“Good Morning.It’s a pleasure to be with you for this exciting announcement.
“With today’s news, Teanaway Solar Reserve is adding to WashingtonState’s reputation as a leader in developing and investing in clean energy technologies.
“In fact, this new 75 megawatt solar electricity generating facility in KittitasCounty will be the largest photovoltaic facility in the world!
“And it will be over five times larger than the largest solar photovoltaic installation in the United States today.
“Last year, I worked with Sen. John Ensign from Nevada to ensure that critical tax incentives for renewable energy investment were not allowed to expire at the end of 2008.As Teanaway’s announcement today shows, these measures are yielding real, concrete results by providing investment incentives to our domestic solar, wind, and other renewable energy industries, and pointing our nation toward long-term energy independence, environmental protection, and economic prosperity.
“A recent study conducted by Navigant Consulting found that over an eight year period, the Investment Tax Credit could generate $232 billion in clean energy investment and create as many as 440,000 new green collar jobs – hundreds of them in KittitasCounty associated with the Teanaway solar plant alone.
“I am proud to say that WashingtonState is on the leading edge as a consumer of renewable energy and as a producer of renewable energy technologies.Teanaway’s announcement of its plans for a new photovoltaic plant in KittitasCounty extends our leadership in the emerging green energy economy and positions our state to be a major player in a $6 trillion export economy over the coming decades.
“This plant will be a shining example, as bright as the sun, of the progress our state is making in leading our nation’s urgently needed transition to a cleaner, more diverse 21st century energy system.
“So thank you for allowing me to participate in this announcement, I am very proud of our state today, and look forward to supporting this groundbreaking efforts in the coming weeks and months to ensure this project comes to fruition.”
