November 16, 2011

 

“Arizona’s Solar Strategic Plan”, a document that proposes a series of recommended actions for the long-term growth of the state’s solar industry, has been issued, as announced by Michelle De Blasi, Chair of the Solar Energy Legal Team at the Quarles & Brady law firm and Chair of the Arizona Energy Consortium (AEC).

The Strategic Plan is a product of the Arizona Solar Leadership Conference, held September 29 in Phoenix, which brought together the major solar stakeholders for a series of panel presentations followed by interactive discussions and follow-up. It may be viewed at www.quarles.com/solar_energy.

Implementation of the plan will be guided by the AEC, a committee of the Arizona Technology Council comprised of more than 250 members from the state’s diverse energy sectors. The AEC has formed an Energy Roadmap subcommittee to work with stakeholders and coordinate current efforts of other public and private entities working to further develop Arizona's energy industry.

“The Strategic Plan is meant to guide Arizona’s growing solar industry along a sustainable path,” De Blasi said. “Our goals are increased jobs, economic development, energy self-sufficiency and security, technology innovation and reduced greenhouse gas emissions -- all resulting from increased use of solar energy as a component of a broader energy strategy. The AEC will be working hard to pull together the stakeholders to ensure that the Plan is implemented - the crucial step that has been missing with previous proposed plans.”

“The Arizona Technology Council is looking forward to utilizing the output of this strategic plan to help integrate it into a broader Arizona energy roadmap,” said Steven G. Zylstra, president and CEO of the Arizona Technology Council. “The end result will be not unlike the long-term bioscience roadmap initiated by the Flinn Foundation designed to make the state’s life sciences sector globally competitive. Arizona possesses many of the essential elements necessary to become a global leader in energy, but must strengthen its focus, collaboration and will to achieve this goal.”

About Quarles & Brady LLP
Quarles & Brady LLP is a full-service law firm with 425 attorneys practicing from offices in Phoenix and Tucson, Ariz.; Chicago, Ill.; Naples and Tampa, Fla.; Milwaukee and Madison, Wis.; and Shanghai, China. The Firm offers an array of legal services to corporate and individual clients that range from small entrepreneurial businesses to Fortune 100 companies. Additional information about the Firm may be found at www.quarles.com.

About the Arizona Technology Council
The Arizona Technology Council is a private, not-for-profit trade association founded to connect, represent and support the state's expanding technology industry. To promote economic growth and professional development in Arizona's technology sector, the Council provides members networking opportunities, business support and access to educational forums. The Council strives to distinguish Arizona as a leader in the technology community and offer resources that are exclusive to its members. To become a member or to learn more about the Arizona Technology Council, please visit http://www.aztechcouncil.org. You are also invited to e-mail the president and his staff at , Twitter @aztechcouncil, or view the Council’s Facebook, LinkedIn, or YouTube page.