Washington, DC – Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter today stood with twenty members of the New England delegation and urged Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi to increase funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to $9 billion in a second economic recovery package. 

President Bush needs to start standing up for the American people," said Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter.  "Thousands of families across New England will be unable to heat their homes this winter because of cuts the Bush Administration has made to LIHEAP.  I urge Speaker Pelosi to provide this emergency funding so families do not have to choose between putting food on the table and staying warm.” 

Properly funding LIHEAP is critical to protecting New Hampshire seniors and children.  Last year’s record high energy costs resulted in many New Hampshire families carrying larger balances with their home heating venders.  Without assistance from LIHEAP, many families may not be able to pay off their balances in time, and will be unable to receive their first delivery of oil when the winter months draw near.  Additionally, heating oil prices are expected to rise by almost 50% this year.   

Congresswoman Shea-Porter has been a strong advocate for LIHEAP funding.   Earlier this year, she testified before the House Budget Committee and called for a “robust funding level.”   Last year, Congresswoman Shea-Porter urged President Bush to properly fund the program by releasing the remaining contingency funds and helped pass an omnibus bill that included $2.6 billion in funding.

Captains of the Solar Industry Will Discuss How to Jumpstart Market Development and Further Reduce Technology Costs

Washington, D.C. – Today the Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) and the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), the two non-profit organizers of the Solar Power Conference & Expo, announced that they have selected the participants of the annual CEO Panel, a gathering of visionaries from the power, energy and related sectors to discuss issues of top concern to the solar industry. Typically among the most well attended segments of the Solar Power Conference, the CEO Panel is expected to attract an audience of 3,000 registered conference attendees. The 2008 CEO Panel takes place as two segments – one on market development and the other on driving down costs – on Wednesday, October 15, from 8 – 10 a.m.

The Solar Power Conference & Expo is the largest solar industry event in the Americas, expected to attract more than 12,000 professional attendees from 70 countries. Attendees will frequent more than 60 conference sessions relating the latest developments in technology, markets, policy and finance, while the international exhibit floor will feature more than 400 exhibitors from every corner of the solar industry.

Reflecting the urgency of increasing renewable energy in the nation’s discourse on energy, this year’s CEO Panel brings together industry leaders for two separate but related discussions – one on market development and another on reducing technology costs. Confirmed panelists include:

Panel 1 – Market Development

Lyndon Rive, SolarCity

Jim Rogers, Duke Energy

Mike Ahearn, First Solar

Santiago Seage, Abengoa

Panel 2 – Driving Down Costs

Martin Heming, SCHOTT Solar

Erik Thorsen, REC

Jeannine Sargent, Oerlikon

Anton Milner, Q-Cells

“The CEO Panel is designed to offer conference attendees a first-hand account of diverse perspectives from the solar C-suite,” said Julia Hamm, executive director of SEPA and chair of the Solar Power Conference & Expo. “We vary the participants each year to reflect the continued evolution of the solar industry and the topics that are most relevant to our audience. This year we are conducting two separate discussions on key industry challenges – continuing significant annual market growth and lowering costs. We look forward to the conclusions drawn from this year’s CEO Panel.”

“In the past year the American solar industry has pressed forward with landmark technology innovation and capital expansion, from materials and process breakthroughs to major power plant and factory construction,” said Rhone Resch, president of SEIA. “Increasingly the U.S. government has understood the value the solar industry brings to this country, in terms of job creation, investment dollars and environmental benefits. We look forward to hearing this year’s CEO Panelists recount lessons learned in the past year, both from here in the U.S. and abroad. Their stories underscore the solar industry’s pivotal role in the future of the energy industry, and that the right Federal legislation will guarantee that the future of energy takes root right here in America.”

CEO Panel participants echoed the urgency felt by many in the industry that solar power is a key component in the reinvention of our energy infrastructure.

“The cost of solar power has the potential to come down over time,” says Jim Rogers, Duke Energy chairman, president and CEO. “As it does, we want to blend solar, other renewables and increased energy efficiency with our existing coal, natural gas and nuclear generation. Using all of these fuels is the best way for our industry to build a bridge to a low-carbon future.”

“Bringing down the costs for photovoltaics is essential for the future of our industry. If we manage that, we can make photovoltaics mankind´s main energy source – and that is what we have to do,” commented Anton Milner, CEO of Q-Cells. “The Solar Power 2008 CEO Panel is a very good platform for industry leaders to reach a common understanding of the necessities related to this overwhelming target.”

“The stakes for advancement in our industry have never been higher, as solar power has moved to the forefront of international consciousness as a potential solution to some of the greatest challenges of our times,” said Lyndon Rive, SolarCity’s CEO. “This solar industry has never seen greater innovation, be it technical, financial or operational, and Solar Power 2008 should reveal a roadmap to further development that will establish renewable power as the primary source of the world’s energy in our lifetimes.”

In addition to the CEO Panel, Solar Power 2008 will feature opening and closing keynote sessions, more than 60 breakout conference sessions, 400 exhibitors and countless industry networking opportunities. Solar Power 2008 will encompass the complete range of solar energy technologies, including photovoltaics, concentrating photovoltaics, concentrating solar power, solar hot water, and space heating and cooling.

A new online registration function will allow professionals to filter and sort through exhibitors and session content to create customized personal floor plans and itineraries. These online tools will allow users to make the most of their time in San Diego, navigating the large show floor and comprehensive conference agenda with ease.

Another unique feature of this year’s event is an expanded focus on consumers. Solar Power 2008 Conference & Expo, a business-to-business event, has partnered with the non- profit California Center for Sustainable Energy (CCSE) to coincide with San Diego’s annual Solar Energy Week. This combination creates a comprehensive, week-long schedule addressing both professional and consumer solar interests. Activities for the public will include Family Solar Day on October 12, a public opening of the Solar Power 2008 exhibit hall on the evening of October 15, and the Tour of Solar Homes on October 18. San Diego Gas & Electric, the Utility Host Sponsor for Solar Power 2008, will also be promoting Solar Energy Week activities to both its commercial and residential customers.

Last year’s event sold out in advance, so organizers encourage early registration to guarantee participation. For more information, speaker and session updates, and to register visit: www.SolarPowerConference.com .

The Solar Electric Power Association bridges electric utilities and the solar industry to push solar forward more tangibly, one real business at a time. From national conferences to one-on-one counseling and peer matching services, SEPA’s unique joint partnership offers members critical access to the key business relationships and unbiased, actionable intelligence needed to make solar practical and profitable in today’s shifting energy landscape.

www.solarelectricpower.org

Solar Energy Industries Association is the national trade association of solar energy manufacturers, dealers, distributors, contractors, installers, architects, consultants and marketers. Established in 1974, SEIA works to expand the use of solar technologies in the global marketplace, strengthen research and development, remove market barriers, and improve education and outreach for solar. www.seia.org

A segway is worth 100,000 votes like a picture is worth 1,000 words!  That appears to be the message from the July 4 parades.  Jim and one of his daughters rode two segways in each of the Amherst, Lincoln, Waterville and Bradford parades on July 4 and 5 to rave reviews.

People are noticing:  yes, the other candidates are nice people, but there is only one Republican candidate who brings a complete package of business experience, rigorous prior academic preparation, demonstrated leadership, and a proven military service record.

With Naval Academy grad John McCain heading the ticket, West Point grad Jim Steiner is the right man, at the right time, for the 2nd Cong. District. In 2008 it is not a time to "place or show," the only candidate who can "win" is being identified by voters as Jim Steiner.  It is time to get under the parachute and join Steiner for Congress, www.joinjim2008.com.

Overall, the July 4 parade circuit found more Steiner volunteers in more parades simultaneously than any other candidates.  We split forces the morning of July 4 and sent 15+ to Ashland for that parade, and kept 15 or so in Amherst to join the segways, the Tahoe-mobile/float, and a cooler full of cold water and munchies!  We met other volunteers in Lincoln, lost some who turned the wrong way (but their support in spirit was appreciated) and made Waterville in time to rally the parade faithful before enjoying time at Stinson Lake/Rumney. 

Everyone loved the segways, even the Amherst announcer, the fire truck operators in Lincoln and people "high fiving" us in Waterville.  Bradford was like participating at "home," as Jim's brother and sister-in-law are long-time Bradford residents, and among other supporters, Jim's sister-in-law and niece joined us in that parade so all the locals could make the "Steiner" connection, and they did!

You know the message has been delivered when people at the Saturday Coalition of New Hampshire Taxpayers asked first "where are the segways?" 

From the weekend of the 4th we jumped into overdrive and headed north for a reception at the Siggins home in Whitefield, segway in tow.  Supporters pledged previously to Sen. Clegg confirmed they are now on board the Steiner campaign.  No doubt the moose did not know what to make of a segway and kept to the woods.

The July 10 BBQ for the Nashua Republican Committee at Holden Farms proved just how strong momentum is moving with the Steiner campaign.  As one prior attendee had commented during Jim's first visit, "I know Jennifer Horn and Bob Clegg well, and consider them friends, but you don't elect your friends to Congress, you elect someone with the right leadership principles.  Jim, tonight you made a strong case why you should be the candidate we all support."  With three campaigns having a presence, and two candidates present, some two-thirds of the attendees left with Steiner yard signs, Steiner for Congress tshirts and bumper stickers, in their choice of "Veterans For" or regular "Steiner for Congress" designs.  Some extras are at the Nashua Republican Committee office - get them before they are gone, or contact the campaign at jim@joinjim2008.com to secure your material.

July 12 found us back in Nashua for the Fairytale Festival at Greeley Park.  No other candidates made this event, but 4,000-5,000 voters did, as did three separate teams of Steiner volunteers sporting Steiner tshirts (varied over the fesitval day) and, again, many yard signs, tshirts and bumper stickers went to new supporters, including no less than the official "hot dog lady" of Greeley Park!!  This woman knows the right candidate when she meets him.

From Nashua to Newport on the 12th, we joined old friends and new at Swept Away Farm, which proves to be the primer for a fundraiser to be held soon. 

July 13 we enjoyed the companionship of the Amnotts of Pittsfield, for a steamship round BBQ with all the fixins', and new supporters from Pittsfield, Concord, Bow and as far away as Dublin.  A great time had by all.

New stockages of signs and other items are being ordered to meet requests. Requests for tshirts and yard signs have already come in and will be delivered!!

Monday, July 14 will find Jim speaking before the Nashua Federation of Republican Women dinner at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Nashua. 

Now is the time to come on board, get your sign up, put your tshirt on and your bumper sticker displayed. 

Jim Steiner

www.joinjim2008.com

Who& What: The Center for U.S. Global Engagement will kick off its day-long conference, Election’08: The Global Impact, with the release of a national poll ofpost-9/11 military officers’ attitudes toward major global challenges facing the next commander-in-chief and the importance military officers place on strengthening non-military tools.

Conference highlights will include:

• Media briefing on poll results with pollsters Geoff Garin (Peter D. Hart Research Associates) and Bill McInturff (Public Opinion Strategies) and Lt. Gen. Gregory S. Newbold, USMC (Ret.), who served as Director of Operations for the Joint Chiefs of Staff (2000-2002)
• Sen. Joseph Lieberman (I-CT) speaking on behalf of Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain
• Sen. Joseph Biden (D-DE) speaking on behalf of Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama
• In his first post-campaign foreign policy speech, former Sen. John Edwards will deliver a keynote address entitled, “Smart Power: America and Global Poverty”
• Several key speakers and high-level panel discussions throughout the day.
• A full conference schedule is detailed below.

When: Press Briefing, 9:00am – 10:00am

Conference, 10:00am – 4:30pm(Lunch will be served)

Where:Mayflower Hotel, Senate Room (for Poll Briefing) & Grand Ballroom (forConference)

1127 Connecticut Avenue, NW,Washington, DC

Note:

About the Center for U.S. Global Engagement

The Center for U.S. Global Engagement (www.usglobalengagement.org),the educational arm of the U.S. Global Leadership Campaign, unites business,civic, military, faith-based, and political leaders around the country to broaden understanding of America’s interests in building a better, safer world.

Election ’08: The Global Impact

Washington Conference Agenda

July 15, 2008

All meetings will take place at the Mayflower Hotel

1127 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington,DC

9:00a.m. Media Briefing &Press Conference – Post-9/11 Military Attitudes Poll Release