Secretary Salazar, Gov. Schwarzenegger Visit World's Largest Solar Plant, Laud Renewable Energy Technology, Development

Visiting the world's largest solar power plant, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger today called the NextEra Harper Lake solar electric generating system a prime example of the future of renewable energy production for the nation. Salazar, noting the Administration's priority on diversifying the nation's energy portfolio to include renewable energy, said Interior is spurring solar, wind, and geothermal energy development on federal lands in California and around the West as well as on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf. “We are cutting bureaucratic red tape; creating strategies to expedite development; prioritizing public lands best suited for renewable energy; and spurring investment with stimulus funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act,” the Secretary emphasized.

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    Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger walk together near the world's largest solar plant, NextEra Harper Lake solar electric generating system in Hinkley, California. Tami A. Heilemann - DOI

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    Counselor to the Secretary Steve Black, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, and President and CEO of NextEra Energy Mitch Davidson stand near the NextEra Harper Lake solar electric generating system in Hinkley, California. Tami A. Heilemann - DOI

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    Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, President and CEO of NextEra Energy Mitch Davidson and Counselor to the Secretary Steve Black tour the NextEra Harper Lake solar electric generating system, a prime example of the future of renewable energy production for the nation. Tami A. Heilemann - DOI

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    “I cannot think of a more appropriate place to underscore that renewable energy is not ‘pie in the sky' than here at the edge of the Mojave Desert where the largest solar plant in the world is generating clean, cost-efficient renewable energy for California communities,” Salazar said during a tour of the facility. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, President and CEO of NextEra Energy Mitch Davidson, Counselor to the Secretary Steve Black and others tour the NextEra Harper Lake solar electric generating system. Tami A. Heilemann - DOI

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    President and CEO of NextEra Energy Mitch Davidson speaks with Secretary Ken Salazar and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger about the technology which the NextEra Harper Lake solar electric generating system utilizes. NextEra has invested $1.5 billion in power generation assets in California, about $1 billion of that in solar and wind projects. Tami A. Heilemann - DOI

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    President and CEO of NextEra Energy Mitch Davidson, Secretary Ken Salazar and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger tour the NextEra Harper Lake solar electric generating system. Tami A. Heilemann - DOI

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    Secretary Ken Salazar speaks at the NextEra Harper Lake solar electric generating system in Hinkley, California while California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and President and CEO of NextEra Energy Mitch Davidson listen. Tami A. Heilemann - DOI

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    Secretary Ken Salazar speaks at the NextEra Harper Lake solar electric generating system in Hinkley, California while California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and President and CEO of NextEra Energy Mitch Davidson listen. While at the world's largest solar plant, Salazar said, “This is the future we are working to achieve – visionary investment in cutting-edge technology; good, solid jobs for American workers; clean energy for American homes, businesses and industry; and renewable resources used efficiently and effectively for the betterment of communities, California and the nation.”

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    Secretary Ken Salazar speaks at the NextEra Harper Lake solar electric generating system in Hinkley, California while California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and President and CEO of NextEra Energy Mitch Davidson listen.

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    California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger sits in front of Secretary Ken Salazar and President and CEO of NextEra Energy Mitch Davidson at the NextEra Harper Lake solar electric generating system. While touring the site, Governor Schwarzenegger said “California has more than 240 proposed renewable energy projects looking to build and create jobs. Today's action will help speed the process for some of these large initiatives to break ground this year and qualify for federal stimulus funding. By working together, we can increase renewable energy development, create thousands of jobs and preserve our state's cherished natural resources.”

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