Quality Jobs Through Renewable Energy Bill - SB1403

Quality Jobs Through Renewable Energy Bill - SB1403(Via EVliving.com)Senate commerce committee passes Quality Jobs bill SB1403 heads to full

Senate for vote. The Senate Committee on Commerce voted in favor of the

Quality JobsThrough Renewable Energy bill Tuesday.During the nearly three-hour hearing, committee members discussed in detail

SB1403, which is designed to stimulate new investment in solar and

renewable manufacturing and headquarter operations. They asked questions,

challenged aspects and sought clarification, ultimately sending the bill to

the full Senate on a 5-2 vote.“We’re pleased the committee passed this bill,” said Barry Broome,

president and CEO of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council, which designed

the program that influenced the bill. “It’s the right thing for Arizona,

and we hope the full Senate supports it as well.”Broome walked senators through the finer points of the bill. He told the

committee SB1403 was needed to give Arizona a competitive edge over other

mountain West states. He pointed to the missed opportunities to capture the

solar and renewable industry and made clear the state’s diminishing chance

to become a major player in the solar industry.Others also testified on behalf of the bill, including Arizona Cardinals

President and GPEC Chairman Michael Bidwill, NanoVoltaix CEO Henke de

Waard, Vice President of Stirling Energy Systems Sean Gallagher and

Chandler Economic Development Specialist Christine Mackay. Each pointed to

the need to diversify the economy, capture new industry and create

high-paying jobs.For cities across Arizona, SB1403 would serve as an important economic

development tool for them to grow their economies, said Bidwill, who opened

discussion on the bill. The bill would offer a corporate income tax credit

and real and personal property tax reduction to eligible businesses.“We’ve got have these tools in our tool box for our cities and counties to

land these high paying jobs,” Bidwill told committee members. “SB1403 will

give us an opportunity to compete.”Sen. Leff, who introduced the bill and also chairs the commerce committee,

said Arizona has a “golden opportunity” to attract headquarters and

manufacturing companies.“We should be the solar capital of the country,” she said.For more information about Quality Jobs Through Renewable Energy, visit

www.gpec.org.For the very latest renewable energy jobs from around the world please

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