Washington, DC - Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA®) president and CEO Rhone Resch today released the following statement after the U.S. Department of the Interior gave its "Record of Decision" and "Notice to Proceed" for Tessera Solar's Imperial Valley Solar Project (709 megawatt dish-engine) and Chevron Energy Solutions' Lucerne Valley Solar Project (45 megawatt PV) to begin construction:

"Today marks a major milestone in advancing utility-scale solar power on public lands. These decisions by the Department of the Interior are supported by the vast majority of Americans, who want the federal government to use our public lands for generating clean, reliable solar energy.

"These projects will create hundreds of new construction jobs in areas of the country that have record unemployment. Solar is showing there is a better, cleaner and more reliable way to meet our energy needs that creates economic opportunity while protecting our environment. Solar is indeed working for America."

###

About SEIA®:
Established in 1974, the Solar Energy Industries Association is the national trade association of the U.S. solar energy industry. Through advocacy and education, SEIA® is working to build a strong solar industry to power America. As the voice of the industry, SEIA® works with its 1,000 member companies to make solar a mainstream and significant energy source by expanding markets, removing market barriers, strengthening the industry and educating the public on the benefits of solar energy. Learn more at www.seia.org.