WASHINGTON - Rhone Resch, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), released the following statement today on efforts by the Obama Administration, and particularly Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, to develop utility-scale solar energy projects on public lands:

"President Obama has put more emphasis and focus on advancing solar energy in the United States than any previous administration and that commitment has been reflected in Secretary Salazar's work to develop projects on public lands.

"Going forward, SEIA will continue to offer the industry's perspective to help Interior develop a final Solar PEIS that does not impose new regulatory burdens on project developers and allows utility-scale solar projects to be built on public lands in an efficient, responsible and transparent manner."

###

About SEIA(R):
Established in 1974, the Solar Energy Industries Association(R) 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. www.seia.org