Obama Tours Solar Array At Las Vegas Air Force Base

LAS VEGAS — President Barack Obama on Wednesday hailed solar energy as a cost saver for a major Air Force base, one stop on a Western trip devoted to raising political money and promoting his economic policies.

Obama's aides had mocked reporters for making a fuss over his first 100 days in office, but the president was eager to assess the first 100 days of his $787 billion economic stimulus package.

It has "saved or created nearly 150,000 jobs," he said, including "jobs building solar panels and wind turbines; making homes and buildings more energy-efficient."

The White House job claims are difficult to verify because they are based on estimates of how bad the economy might have been without the stimulus rather than actual employment data. The country has lost 1.3 million jobs since February, a figure the Obama administration says would have been far higher if not for the recovery effort.

Obama also announced more spending for renewable energy after touring a large field of solar panels at Nellis Air Force Base, near Las Vegas. The sun-powered cells provide a quarter of the base's power needs, Obama said, speaking in a large hangar warmed by the desert heat.

"That's the equivalent of powering about 13,200 homes during the day," he said, and it will save the Air Force nearly $1 million a year.

Obama said more than $467 million in stimulus money will be used "to expand and accelerate the development, deployment and use of geothermal and solar energy throughout the United States."

The president sandwiched the midday event between two political fundraisers: one on Tuesday night in Las Vegas for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and one set for Wednesday night in Los Angeles for the Democratic National Committee.

At Nellis, Obama addressed 400 people, including Air Force personnel, civilian workers and families living on the base.

The base's $100 million public-private solar power system covers 140 acres and generates more than 14 megawatts of electricity.

As he departed the hangar, Obama bypassed his limousine and walked a quarter-mile along the tarmac to examine fighter jets, chatting with Air Force personnel as he went.

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Associated Press Writer Matt Apuzzo in Washington contributed to this report.

Comments

[Opygollopy]

The Canadian Government has given us a break on energy costs by offering grants to upgrade our house. Windows, insulation, solar, new roof, etc. etc. You get 3 quotes, submit them, they let you pick the one you want and they will reimburse you.

If you dont go that route, you can get $l000. back on your taxes if you submit your bill and l5% on anything after that. It will come back to you in the form of a refund check at the end of the year. We needed a new roof, it cost $2,200., we got a cheque back for $l,330., it was great. Anything that pertains to energy consumption is refundable. This year we will replace all our windows and the govt will chip in again. It sure makes it easier because all of these things had to be done anyway.

[absolutetruth09]

I actually think hes reaching.H­e is downplaying the mess he made with that pathetic stimulas package.An­yone with a brain knows the Free Market will produce Green Tech far more efficient than the government can dream of.That being said,Obama thinks the Economy is in trouble,so he talks about the future.He cant blame Bush anymore(but he will try) because he spent 10 times as much,and will get no results

[ipv4]

OMG, please get an education. The Goverment still subsidizes the oil industry to this day.

[absolutetruth09]

It will never work,your a government slave

[absolutetruth09]

The Government steals money from Oil Companies.­..Explain your comment

[Porter90]

You don't get it. The guy hasn't spent any money yet. They just finishing up the 2010 budget. The 2009 budget was completed in 2008 with projected $1.3Trilli­on deficits. People have to understand the budget process of the US Government.

I will give you that the stimulus package was spending but you have to remember that the 1/3 of the stimulus package were tax cuts. Therefore, the spending people like you complain about is money in people pockets directly.

Now to energy, they research labs are funded by the government and if you know something about research only 10% of billions spend actually yield actual applicable technology for economic uses.

Thats why instead of designing bunker busting missiles, we can spend the same time and billions in aerodynamic design for cars, carbon nanotubes to reduce the weight of cars and make them far safer, battery research and many more.

Get a grip.

[Opygollopy]

Well said and informative. Just goes to show what an education can do for you.

[absolutetruth09]

The $12 dollars a week means nothing

[regellner]

I am also glad that Obama is showing his commitment to clean energy by taking the time at this array.

Raymond Gellner - Charlotte Liberal Examiner
http://www.examiner.com/x-11326-Charlotte-Liberal-Examiner

[lizardbrain]

I love it. Obama takes time to "tour" a solar array. You have to admit that he certainly is following through on his rhetoric. Keep it up!! http://www.dasolar.com/