http://www.solarnovus.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1995:gabrielle-giffords-solar-champion&catid=75:editors-blogs&Itemid=352In two terms, Congresswoman Giffords accomplished the following for solar in the US:
•Giffords was a key proponent of the 8-year extension of the solar investment tax credit and the one-year extension of the Treasury Grant Program. See "Getting Lame Ducks in a Row."
•Giffords sponsored the Solar Technology Roadmap Act (HR 3585) in 2009, which committed over $2 billion to new research partnerships and demonstration projects for solar energy technologies.
•Giffords launched Solar Power 101 in 2007, which is an initiative to teach Arizonans about solar power and the inherent benefits and opportunities.
•Giffords introduced the Solar Schools Act, which makes it more affordable for schools to install solar panels.
•Giffords was instrumental in the award of a $1.45 billion loan guarantee from the US government for the construction of Arizona’s largest solar plant (280MW).
http://giffords.house.gov/2010/03/arizona-corporation-commission-approves-aps-az-sun-solar-program.shtmlAPS plans to invest up to $500 million in the program over four years to develop 100 megawatts (MW) of turn-key photovoltaic power plants across Arizona.
http://giffords.house.gov/legis/sponsored-legislation.shtmlLegislative Accomplishments in the 110th Congress
Solar
Solar Energy Research and Advancement Act of 2007 (H.R. 2774)
•Creates a research and development program into thermal energy storage technologies for concentrating solar power (CSP);
•Conducts a report regarding the integration of concentrating solar power plants and regional electricity transmission systems, including how to send electricity from high solar resource areas (such as Arizona) to areas with less solar power.
•Analyzes how to reduce the amount of water consumed by concentrating solar power systems; andCreates a program to create and strengthen solar industry workforce training and internship programs in order to ensure that current and future employees obtain the necessary skills to install, operate and maintain solar energy products.
•Status: Passed the House in H.R. 6, the Energy Independence and Security Act on December 18, 2007 and was signed into law on December 19, 2007.
Renewable Energy Assistance Tax Act (H.R. 3807)
•Extends the 30% commercial solar property and residential investment tax credit for eight years;
•Extends the existing energy-efficient appliance credit and extend this credit for three years (through the end of 2010), and
•Extends the energy-efficient doors, windows, and insulation consumer tax credit for eight years.
•Status: Provisions have passed the House four times: in H.R. 2776 on August 4, 2007; in H.R. 6 on December 6, 2007; in H.R. 5351 on February 27, 2008; and in H.R. 6049 on May 21, 2008. The bill was finally included in the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act which became law on October 3, 2008..."
it has been estimated that up to 72% of daytime energy can be supplied bt 4 solar units across the south west... i think that would piss off the Robber Barrons.... their Big Money will come with rationing oil after they fake the big Peak Oil scam