Subcommittee on on Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies

Arizona Solar Energy Research Infrastructure and Jobs Initiative, Research Corporation for Science Advancement, 4703 Camp Lowell Dr., Ste. 201, Tucson, AZ 85712 -$250,000 Department of Energy, Office of Science:  This is a good use of taxpayer funds because the Scialog program fosters innovative, boundary-crossing collaborations among the nation’s leading early-career solar researchers by leveraging Arizona’s universities as centers of advanced renewable-energy research. This immediately funds local jobs, and also opens new pathways to create clean, domestic industries that benefit the whole nation. Funding will be used for the Research Corporation for Science Advancement’s (RCSA) Scialog, a $3.9 million (FY 2011), three-year grant program in partnership with Science Foundation Arizona (SFAz) that began in 2009.  Grants will be made to Arizona universities to create research collaborations and to fund Arizona research jobs.  Click here for a letter of support from Pima County Supervisor Richard Elias.

Concentrator Photovoltaic Technology – University of Arizona, 1401 East University Boulevard, Tucson, AZ  85721 - $500,000 Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Solar Program:  This project is an important use of taxpayer funds because it will help develop technology that offers a new approach to harvesting solar energy at an affordable cost, thereby fostering economic growth, improving our energy independence and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The project will complete the final phase of research and development of a new type of concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) to make the cost of utility-scale solar electric power competitive with fossil fuel. Research was started with a 2008 Department of Energy award and matching funds; funding so far has resulted in demonstration of the new reflector manufacturing technology.  This second phase will prove the concept with a fully functioning 15 kW sun-tracker unit, designed for low-cost replication in very large quantities suitable for utility-scale electricity generation.  Click here for a letter of support from Arizona State Representative Steve Farley.

San Pedro Feasibility Study – Upper San Pedro Partnership, 2160 E. Fry Blvd., Ste. C-5, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635 - $1,000,000 Bureau of Reclamation, Water and Related Resources-Investigations:  This is a good use of taxpayer funds because it will secure a long-term supply of water to the San Pedro River. The San Pedro is one of the last free-flowing rivers in the southwest, it sustains the army installation at Fort Huachuca, which provides necessary jobs and economic activity to Arizona and is also an internationally significant primary migration corridor.  Funding will be used to provide a comprehensive scientific and economic analysis, selection and construction design of a cost-effective and environmentally-friendly water supply project available to water managers in the Sierra Vista Subwatershed.  It will significantly contribute to the long-term sustainability of the regional aquifer.  This project will build upon previous analyses and vetting of potential projects to determine a short list of cost-effective and viable projects.  The San Pedro feasibility study has been legislatively authorized by Congress, but has yet to be appropriated.  Click here for a letter of support from Sierra Vista Mayor Robert Strain.

Southern Arizona Green Energy Training Enhancement Project, Pima Community College, 4905C East Broadway Blvd., Tucson, AZ 85709 - $590,000 Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Energy Education and Workforce Development:  This project is a good use of taxpayer funds because it prepares Americans to contribute to our economy  not only by growing our green workforce in southern Arizona, but also by increasing the installation of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies that decrease our dependence on foreign and dirty fuels. Funding for this project would purchase equipment and provide support for training programs in solar electricity, solar hot water, solar thermal (heating and cooling), weatherization and hybrid electric vehicle technologies. Currently, southern Arizona does not have a “green” training facility or the requisite equipment to produce a 21st century incumbent workforce in solar and green technology.  In order to deliver a green technology curriculum, Pima Community College will need training stations and to equip laboratories for hand-on instruction. Additionally, some funds would be used for curriculum development and faculty training.  Click here for a letter of support from Tucson Mayor Robert Walkup.

Tucson Drainage Area Urban Flood Control Project – Pima County, 130 W. Congress St., 10th Floor, Tucson, AZ 85701 – $5,000,000 Army Corps of Engineers, Construction: This is an important use of taxpayer funds because these improvements are critical for the protection of downtown Tucson’s urban core, including residential neighborhoods and the downtown business district.  This will support the final phase of construction in response to the 1983 flood (and subsequent less severe floods) that the National Weather service has deemed Tucson’s most impactful weather event of the century – causing over $100 million (1983 dollars) in damage to Tucson bridges and buildings. This funding will allow the Corps to complete flood control improvements along the Tucson Arroyo and Arroyo Chico Wash.  The second and final phase of this project began in 2007.  This project was authorized for construction in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 1999 and a new construction start was authorized in 2003.  It is critical that funding be provided in to allow construction of this final phase of the project to be completed by 2012.  Click here for a letter of support from Pima County Administrator C.H. Huckelberry.

Tucson Solar Demonstration Project – City of Tucson, 4004 South Park St., Tucson, AZ  85701 - $200,000 Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Solar Program:  This is a good use of taxpayer funds because it will allow the City of Tucson to install a 100 kilowatt solar demonstration on the roof of a regional center offering programs for youth, teens and seniors. The estimated impacts include 158,400 kWh/year of electricity generated and 135 metric tons/year of CO2 reduced over the 25-year system life. This will also increase public awareness of the benefits of solar technology and energy efficiency, while  reducing Tucson’s utility costs and carbon emissions.  To further enhance public awareness the City will include a web-based monitoring system to allow students and the public to access solar production and other solar information. As a DOE Solar America City, the addition of this project will contribute to City’s 10-year solar installation plan that has been stalled due to the current budget crisis.  Click here for a letter of support from Tucson Vice Mayor Rodney Glassman.

Tanque Verde Creek Project, Rillito Tributaries – Pima County, 130 W. Congress St., 10th Floor, Tucson, AZ 85701 - $ 2,000,000 Army Corps of Engineers, Construction:  This is an important use of taxpayer funds because it will provide flood control, bank protection and habitat preservation; as well as mitigation measures along the Tanque Verde Creek.  After a 1983 flood which caused over $100 million in damage to Tucson area bridges, buildings and agriculture, Congress authorized bank stabilization and flood control protection along the Rillito River in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 1986.  Tanque Verde Creek is a major tributary to the Rillito River that flows into the Rillito River at Craycroft Road.  Tanque Verde Creek was authorized for construction by Congress in WRDA 2007 in the amount of $5,906,000 (federal share of $3,836,000 and non-federal share of $2,070,000) in accordance with the recommendation in the report to the Chief of Engineers dated July 22, 2003.  Click here for a letter of support from Pima County Adminstrator C.H. Huckelberry.