National clean energy summit coming to UNLV

By Phoebe Sweet

Tuesday, July 1, 2008 | 3:01 p.m.

Sen. Harry Reid today announced a National Clean Energy Summit to be held at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas on Aug. 19.

Reid's office said the summit speakers will include President Bill Clinton, Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano, Colorado Governor Bill Ritter, former Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin and businessman T. Boone Pickens, who is committing to build the largest wind farm in America.

Reid's office said the summit speakers will include President Bill Clinton, Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano, Colorado Governor Bill Ritter, former Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin and businessman T. Boone Pickens, who is committing to build the largest wind farm in America.

The summit also is to bring together major industry leaders, scientists, policy experts and citizens from across the country to

participate in a dialog about our nation’s clean energy future. Reid said in a statement that he believes Nevada can be a world leader in the renewable energy industry because of its rich solar, wind and geothermal resources.

“Being the world leader is more than leading by example by tapping into our state's vast renewable resources,” Reid said in a statement. “It also means leading the national discussion... As the Majority Leader, clean energy -- and Nevada’s central role in this revolution -- will be a top legislative priority of mine for the next Congress.”

Reid and UNLV President David Ashley announced that they will partner with the Center for American Progress Action Fund to sponsor the event. Reid made the announcement at a solar array at Nellis Air Force Base.

“This is really important for us to be able to demonstrate why southern Nevada is in a leadership position in this area,” Ashley said in a statement. “We're delighted that this is an opportunity for us to showcase the talents of so many of our students and faculty.”