On the recordSeptember 15, 2014
a week ago last Thursday, Tesla, a major company in America, announced that Nevada would be the new home to its gigafactory, which would produce lithium batteries for Tesla's electric cars. Just a few days later, Nevada's State legislature unanimously approved the incentive package to finalize a new economic boost for Nevada. Tesla's gigafactory will spur economic development in Nevada. All told, the state-of-the-art manufacturing center is expected to pump $100 billion into Nevada's economy and create up to 22,000 jobs. This development is good news for Nevada, but it didn't happen by accident. It is the direct result of public-private partnerships and smart Federal and State policies. It is the result of Nevada being seen as a hub for renewable energy and innovative technologies. This project, as big as it is, will be powered with solar and geothermal. Nothing else will power this big project. I have worked here in the Senate to promote legislation that encourages investment in clean energy and transportation innovation at all levels. In 2007, we passed the Energy Independence and Security Act, which created the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Program. Under this program, the Department of Energy awarded a $465 million loan guarantee to Tesla for the construction of a manufacturing facility in California. The question everyone has is: Was that loan a successful investment in Tesla? The facts speak for themselves.…





