Sec. Salazar to Flip the Switch on Solar Energy Project in Nevada

***Media interested in attending, please RSVP to Tiffany East at (775) 250-8092 and meet at the Silver State North Project Site no later than 9:30am PDT for required site orientation**

Date: May 7, 2012
Contact: Adam Fetcher (DOI) 202-208-6416
Larry Springer (Enbridge) 877-496-8142
Alan Bernheimer (First Solar) 415-935-2499

Sec. Salazar to Flip the Switch on Solar Energy Project in Nevada

Enbridge’s Silver State North Project Marks Historic Milestone as First-Ever Solar Project on Public Lands to Power the Grid

LAS VEGAS, NV— Today, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar will visit the Enbridge Silver State North Solar Project where he will “flip the switch” on the first large-scale solar energy project located on U.S. public lands to deliver power to American consumers.

Located in the Ivanpah Valley south of Las Vegas, the 50-megawatt solar project will use photovoltaic technology to generate enough power for approximately 9,000 Nevada homes. The project, developed by First Solar and owned by Enbridge, employed over 380 construction workers during peak construction.

During his visit, Salazar will meet with senior representatives from Enbridge, First Solar, and NV Energy before participating in the dedication ceremony.

Under Secretary Salazar’s leadership, Interior has authorized 29 large-scale renewable energy projects on public lands, including 16 solar projects that, if built, will provide more than 5,500 megawatts of power to communities across the West. Prior to 2009, Interior had not authorized a single solar project on public lands.

WHO: Ken Salazar, Secretary of the Interior
Bob Abbey, Director of the Bureau of Land Management
Al Monaco, President, Enbridge Inc.
Frank De Rosa, Senior Vice President, First Solar
Tony Sanchez, Senior Vice President, NV Energy
Bonnie Lind, Renewable Energy Advisor, Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development
WHAT:
Enbridge Silver State North Solar Project Dedication Ceremony
WHEN:
Monday, May 7, 2012
10:00 a.m. PDT  Walking Tour of Site
10:30 a.m. PDT  Dedication Ceremony
WHERE: Silver State North Project Site
1250 East Primm Boulevard
Jean, Nevada 89019
RSVP:
Media interested in attending, please RSVP to Tiffany East at 775 250 8092 and meet at the Silver State North Project Site no later than 9:30am PDT for required site orientation.
Call-in:
Media interested in listening to the ceremony remarks may participate by dialing: 1-888-232-9795 and providing the access code INTERIOR.

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