BERKLEY SECURES $1.2 MILLION TO HELP TURN AGASSI ACADEMY IN LAS VEGAS “GREEN”

Funds Will Be Used to Create State-of-the-Art Solar Energy System at Las Vegas School

(July 15, 2009 -- Washington, D.C.)  Congresswoman Shelley Berkley (NV) today announced nearly $1.2 million in federal funding has been awarded for construction of a solar energy system at the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy in Las Vegas.

“This project will supply the Agassi Academy with a steady a source of clean energy, while also teaching students how the sun can be captured to light their classrooms and power their computers.  Nevada and our nation will both benefit from having a generation of students who are taught the importance of harnessing renewable ‘green’ energy.  And Las Vegas and other communities benefit from increased energy efficiency and from the jobs that are produced by solar power projects like the one that will be added at Agassi Prep,” said Berkley.  “This investment will produce real energy savings, while also serving as a valuable teaching tool, so it is good for the students and good for the school.”

The nearly $1.2 million in Department of Energy funding -- which Berkley secured in February of this year -- will be used to develop a photovoltaic solar system to help meet the Academy’s energy demands.  The addition of the solar energy collection system is part of an Academy-wide plan to implement a program focusing on renewable energy and the importance of energy efficiency.

The addition of the advanced regenerative fuel cell system, which utilizes photovoltaic technology, will provide power to the Academy, while also creating a learning environment for students to explore alternative power sources such as solar, fuel cells, and hydrogen.

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