[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 3] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page 3261] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]HONORING ARIZONA WESTERN COLLEGE FOR HISTORIC SOLAR ARRAY ______ HON. RAUL M. GRIJALVA of arizona in the house of representatives Thursday, March 11, 2010 Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Arizona Western College, a community college in southwestern Arizona that serves over 13,000 full-time and part-time students in Yuma and La Paz Counties. Arizona Western College, in collaboration with Arizona Public Service and Power Purchase Agreement Inc., will be establishing the largest array of solar energy panels of any college in the country. The total solar installation, which will be on the college's main campus in Yuma, Arizona, will be 5 megawatts, generating enough energy to cover 100% of the college's energy needs. The installation will also be a testing site for manufacturers around the world as well as the foundation for education and workforce development in renewable energy technology. Arizona Western College is in the process of developing curriculum in solar energy technology, ranging from occupational certificates to an associate's degree program while plans to partner with university programs for bachelor and master's degrees are also underway. The installation will not only provide a source of clean energy for the campus, but it will also help train the next generation of ``green collar'' professionals. While the solar array will most surely change the face of the local economy, it also has the potential to impact solar technology research and education on a national and global scale. By training individuals in these technologies and supporting technological advances in solar energy production, Arizona Western College is leading the way to a clean energy economy. Arizona Western College's decision to enter this partnership will help reduce our country's dependence on unsustainable fossil fuels, actions which I applaud. By investing in renewable energy technologies and research, Arizona Western College will help make these technologies more affordable and readily available across America. Our country has been at the forefront of past technological revolutions, and with Arizona Western College spearheading the effort, America will be the leading innovator in solar energy technology. This project takes us one step closer to establishing a sustainable energy future. As a member of the House Committee on Natural Resources, I not only admire but also wholeheartedly support Arizona Western College's initiative to help lead the country in developing technologies that will help harness the power of the sun. ____________________