Update| Gov. Brewer signs Arizona solar jobs bill

Stirling System Solar Generator

Stirling System Solar Generator

In a major victory for solar advocates in the state, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer today signed SB 1403 into law.

The bill extends tax credits and other incentives to manufactures of renewable energy equipment (mainly solar) if they locate in Ariz0na and meet other criteria.

Proponents of the legislation, which passed the AZ Senate on June 15th and the House June 26th, have claimed that such a bill was a missing “third leg” on a stool that would support Arizona’s bid to be the “solar capitol” of the nation.

(The other two legs are a large market for consuming solar electricity and enough incoming solar radiation to produce large quantities of power.)

The bill was sponsored by Senator Barbara Leff (R-Paradise Valley) and Representative Michele Reagan (R-Scottsdale).

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SB 1403| Arizona solar jobs bill in limbo

Solar Bill in Limbo, small

Just ten days ago, Arizona state Senator Barbara Leff (R-Paradise Valley) stood before a House committee, making the case for a bill she had written. “The Quality Jobs Through Renewable Energy Bill,” was needed, she said, to make Arizona the leader in solar [power].” Not just in the nation, but potentially throughout the world.

Leff reminded Representatives that we are in a period of transition. Fossil fuels represent the past. Solar is the future.

Senate Bill 1403 can help the state move forward, Leff concluded. No good alternative exists, because “we can’t turn back the clock.”

No? Can we not?

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Almost there| SB 1403, solar jobs bill, clears Arizona House

Solar power SB 1403 Arizona90px-CC_some_rights_reserved.svg

By a margin of 39-12, the Arizona House of Representatives passed SB 1403 on Friday, June 26th, putting the solar jobs bill just one step away from becoming law.

Although the Arizona legislation has received national attention, final passage in the House was overshadowed by the debate — and eventual victory in the US House of Representatives — of the Waxman-Markey climate bill on the same day. The American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (HB 2454) squeaked by on a vote of 219-212.

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