President visits Nellis, introduces Recovery Act provisions Published May 27, 2009 By Staff Sgt. Aileen Carter 99th Air Base Wing NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- President Barack Obama announced two new American Recovery and Reinvestment Act programs aimed at doubling America's capability to generate renewable energy during a visit here, May 27. "Right now, we're standing near the largest solar electric plant of its kind in the entire Western Hemisphere," President Obama said following a tour of Nellis' 14-megawatt solar photovoltaic array. "More than 72,000 solar panels built on part of an old landfill provide 25 percent of the electricity for the 12,000 people who live and work here at Nellis. That's the equivalent of powering about 13,200 homes during the day. It's a project that will save the U.S. Air Force, which is the largest consumer of energy in the federal government, nearly $1 million a year." "This base serves as a shining example of what's possible when we harness the power of clean, renewable energy to build a new, firmer foundation for economic growth," the president continued as he addressed a crowd of more than 450 Airmen, civilians and community leaders. Signed Feb. 17, the Recovery Act's purpose is to boost the financial and economic standing of the American economy by creating jobs, saving money and measures that lay the foundation to face long term challenges. Some of the specific provisions of the act called for promoting energy independence, with $7.2 billion dedicated to "green" projects and programs. Capitalizing on Nellis' example, the president announced the availability of Recovery Act funding for two such programs. "The first is a solar energy technologies program that will help replicate the success of the Nellis project in cities and states across America. We'll invest in the development and deployment of solar technology wherever it can thrive and we'll find the best ways to integrate solar power into our electric grid," President Obama said. " The second program I'm announcing will help develop the use of geothermal energy in America. Geothermal energy is literally defined as "heat from the earth." This heat can then be harnessed as a clean, affordable, and reliable source of energy." One of the driving forces to improve the nation's economy with the Recovery Act stemmed from America's reliance on other countries for energy sources. "We know the cost of our oil addiction all too well, it's the cost measured by the billions of dollars we send to nations with unstable and unfriendly regimes," President Obama said. "By lessoning our reliance on other nations, the Recovery Act will also bring money back to the American economy with jobs and also strengthen our nation's security." "I am extremely excited and happy to show off what the Air Force can do when given the right opportunities," said Michelle Price, Nellis' base energy manager. "It's great that the president recognizes us at the beginning of this trail to a renewable energy future." In addition to discussing renewable energy, the president also focused on other provisions aimed at supporting military members and their families. "Also in the Recovery Act is all sorts of construction taking place on bases just like Nellis to support military families," President Obama said. "I know that that is something that Michelle Obama has taken a lot of time looking into; that's something that I'm spending a lot of time thinking about. We want to make sure that our bases and our facilities are the best in the world for our best troops." During the visit, President Obama also took time to thank all men and women in uniform for their service to our country. "We're grateful to you," the president said. "I know some are about to be deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, many have just come back. The fact that you serve each and every day to keep us safe is something that every American is grateful for. And so if I don't do anything else as your commander in chief, I'm going to make sure that we're there for you just as you've been there for us. So thank you very much." Nellis leaders also enjoyed the opportunity to host the commander in chief. "It's one of the greatest privileges to inherit command of both the home of the warfighter, the home of the fighter pilot and the largest solar photovoltaic array on the continent," said Col. Dave Belote, 99th Air Base Wing commander, who escorted President Obama on his tour of the solar array. "The President was very interested and very engaged. He focused on the proper balance between energy independence and our world-class military training, both of which are critical to ensure national security. We discussed getting the Department of Defense involved early in the creation of renewable energy zones so that we create the balance between the tremendous military assets and the potential we have for clean renewable energy here around Nellis and the Nevada Test and Training Range."
