Cohen Looks to Solar Power to Boost Jobs

This story recently ran on our local Fox station...

Thankfully, minus the need for parkas, it seemed reminiscent of scenes from the move "White Station Zebra."

But, 9th District Congressman, Steve Cohen, had good reason to lead a contingent of reporters and photographers to the roof of Sharp Manufacturing's owned Solar Industries on Monday.

The high altitude outing was intended to show off the kind of solar panels which will hopefully play a key role in an energy initiative, that if passed, could be monumental in weaning the county of decades of foreign oil dependency.

Cohen asserted, "If enacted, this legislation will be the largest investment in solar technology in the history of the United States."

Cohen, who is co-sponsoring the legislation with Vermont Congressman, Bernie Sanders, says the goals of the measure would be to install solar energy panels on ten-million rooftops nationwide over the next ten years and increase the capacity of solar-heated water systems by an estimated ten billion gallons over the same period. Cohen also espoused his solar roots initiative would spur the growth of all important "green jobs."

Cohen explained, "This bill could create an estimated 1.35 billion, direct or indirect jobs, over the next ten years according to Solar Energy Industry Association. And thanks to Sharp Solar and Memphis distribution prowess...many of these new green jobs will be located right here in Memphis, Tennessee."

However, as we scanned the 550 panels on the roof that Sharp officials say will one day power the facility, Cohen admitted the initial costs associated with constructing solar energy systems for home and commercial uses has discouraged many from taking the monetary plunge. But, Cohen declared his measure will provide attractive incentives.

Cohen outlined, "This legislation would help individuals and businesses the ability to overcome the initial investment in solar technology by providing cash rebates. The rebates would work in conjunction with other existing federal rebates and incentives to provide a maximum rebate of fifty percent of the cost of installation."

A buoyant Cohen even musically waxed poetic about the legislation, "Here Comes the Sun"....do, do, do, yeah!"