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Can the US be more than just a giant market for clean energy? Can it also lead in clean-energy manufacturing?

Those questions are at the heart of a panel discussion today hosted by the Apollo Alliance and the Center for American Progress. The event is being Webcast live from 9AM to 5PM (EST). It’s a fascinating discussion with some of the top people in the fields of clean energy and green jobs.

Here’s the agenda:

9:00 – 10:00 a.m.: Opening Remarks:

Phil Angelides, Chairman, Apollo Alliance

John Podesta, President and Chief Executive Officer, Center for American Progress

10:00 – 11:15 a.m.: The American Clean Energy Economy in 2020: What Should It Look Like and How Can We Get There?

Rob Atkinson, President, Information Technology and Innovation Foundation

Bob Borosage, President, Institute for America’s Future

Peter Brehm, Vice President of Business Development and Government Relations, Infinia Corporation

Kathleen McGinty, Former Secretary, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection

Moderated by:

Susan McGinnis, Managing Editor and Anchor, Clean Skies News

11:30 – 12:15 p.m.: Keynote Speeches: Perspectives from House and Senate Champions on How to Grow a Thriving and Globally Competitive Clean Energy Economy

Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI)

Congressman Jay Inslee (D-WA)

Introduced by:

Cathy Calfo, Executive Director, Apollo Alliance

1:00 – 2:30 p.m.: The U.S. and the World: What Are Other Countries Doing and What Could the U.S. Do?

Thea Lee, Deputy Chief of Staff, AFL-CIO

Leo Hindery, Chair of the U.S. Economy/Smart Globalization Initiative, New America Foundation

Julian Wong, Senior Policy Analyst, Center for American Progress

Joan Fitzgerald, author of Emerald Cities: Urban Sustainability and Economic Development

Moderated by:

Bracken Hendricks, Senior Fellow, Center for American Progress

2:45 – 4:15 p.m.: Educating the Clean Energy Workforce of the Future

Andy Levin, Chief Workforce Officer, State of Michigan

Louis Soares, Director of the Postsecondary Education Program, Center for American Progress

Van Jones, Senior Fellow, Center for American Progress; Founder, Green For All

Joel Rogers, Director, Center on Wisconsin Strategy

Moderated by:

Kate Gordon, Vice President for Energy Policy, Center for American Progress

4:15 – 5:00 p.m.: Making America A Winner in the Clean Energy Economy

Jared Bernstein, Chief Economist and Economic Policy Advisor to Vice President Joseph Biden

Phil Angelides, Chairman, Apollo Alliance

The Community Power Project

UPDATE: 2:20 PM MT, 3/3/10: The ACC has put off a vote on the project described below, until the next open meeting — March 31-April 1.

A first-of-a-kind plan by Arizona’s largest utility (APS), to create a “community power project” in Flagstaff is before the Arizona Corporation Commission today.

Coconino County Supervisor Carl Taylor spoke in favor of the program, saying that it was a perfect fit for the county’s plan for sustainable, clean energy. Flagstaff Mayor Sara Pressler has also been an early and enthusiastic backer of the plan.

Solar and Wind

Under the plan being considered, APS will pay for, and own, rooftop PV arrays on roughly two-hundred homes in the Flagstaff area, rooftop solar water heating systems for fifty homes and “a handful” of small scale wind turbines. The customers will lock-in a rate for their electricity for twenty years. All of the homes in the program are on a single feeder system and will have smart meters so that the effects of the system can be tracked.

While mostly supporting the pilot program, some solar companies with their own financing programs spoke at today’s hearing, raising concerns about potential problems in the future having to compete with a giant utility.

Commission chair Kris Mayes told them she understood their concerns, but felt that since the program will only serve 200 homes, it should not have a large effect on competing companies. “If this [program] were for 10,000 homes, I would certainly agree with you,” Mayes told one speaker.

Late this afternoon, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer’s office issued a brief statement saying that House Bill 2701 — widely condemned by opponents who called it “the death knell of the solar industry” in Arizona — had been withdrawn by its primary sponsor, Representative Debbie Lesko (R-9).

The full statement reads:

“Representative Lesko’s wise and thoughtful actions today to withdraw HB 2701 should be lauded. This sends a clear and united message to employers around the world – Arizona remains the premier destination for solar industries.”

Rep. Lesko’s office is referring calls to the House Republican media office, which, in turn, is referring calls to the Governor’s message.

Statement by Speakers Office

Earlier, Speaker of the House, Representative Kirk Adams (R-Mesa) issued the following press release:

“Recent news stories have depicted the Arizona House of Representatives as being anti-solar energy, and unconcerned about the development of emerging renewably [sic] energy technologies. As the elected leader of the House I wish to set the record straight.

For years the Arizona House, in partnership with the Arizona Senate and Governor, have planned and set policy to attract renewable energy industries to provide for our own energy needs, improve the environment, and create jobs.

For example, Arizona has renewable energy property tax incentives, solar installation tax credits and investment income tax credits for new and expanded operations with lowered property tax classification.

The passage last year of SB1403 further propelled Arizona to the forefront internationally as an attractive location for renewable energy companies. Even so, we have not rested on our past accomplishments and continue to move forward with legislation like HB2060. This legislation will provide additional incentives for renewable energy and send a clear message to global industries: we want you in Arizona.

As a high-growth state, Arizona must have an energy plan to match our energy demand, now and in the future. Renewable energy, and solar in particular, must play a vital role. Moreover, renewable manufacturing, research and development, generation, and installation will be a key source of new jobs and help pull our state out of the recession.

When it comes to renewable energy policy, Arizona takes a back seat to no one, not Texas, not Oregon. We fully intend to keep it that way.”

SB1403 was seen as a major victory for solar manufacturing in the state. Adams’ reason for referencing HB2060 is a bit more obscure. That bill deals with land conservation and makes no mention of energy issues.

HB2060 can be downloaded here (pdf)