mr. fairbanks, mr.me is mike ahern, thank you for the opportunity to appear before the committee today to offer my perspective on the the president of number's loan -- department of energy's loan guarantee program. first solar is one of the largest solar module manufacturers in the world, and the global leader in developing and constructing utility-scale photovoltaic power plants. we've represented an estimated $15 billion or more of solar power installations. we are head quartered in tempe, arizona, and our manufacturing centers are located in ohio. in addition to our 1800 associates in the u.s., our manufacturing and project development activities support more than 7,000 additional u.s. supply chain and construction jobs. last year alone we pent more than $1 billion with u.s. suppliers in 35 states for everything from glass to steel components. we trade on the nasdaq, and we are currently the only renewable energy company be listed in the s&p 500. first solar's success reflects over two decades of ent

mr. brian fairbank, president and ceyñoyñ of nevada gso -- geothermalyñ power and mr.ntleman from ohio. we will go right down the line and start with mr. nelson. you will get your five minutes and then we will go through and get the question so mr. nelson you are recognized for five minutes. >> thank you. green energy policy includes two parts, support for basic research with the aim of developing new green energy technologies and two is making loan guarantees to promote the adoption of green energy technologies, supporting the search is important role of government but the loan guarantee program is a wasteful mistake as it does not work. having spent bozza mike for developing strategy for companies large and small, i've learned one important thing and that is that it is economics not government policy that drives behavior. it is economics not government policy that will drive enthusiastic adoption of green and she. my company is a technology developer company in santa barbara california. we are developing advanced technology and new three-dimensional solar cells that

mr. fairbank. >> morning, mr. chairman and members of the subcommittee. it is my pleasure to appear today is representative of nevada geothermal power and blue mountain facility in to speak with you about the many good things occurring at the mountain, both in terms of what occurs at the powerplant and also and in the nevada region and beyond. these positive things are result of the hard work of nevada power and a blue mountain employees as a supportive civic leaders and ordinary nevadans, the dedication of trusted manders and of course the assistance of the department of energy section 1905 loan guarantee program. that way of introduction, i am the president and ceo of nevada geothermal power inc., which is the ultimate corporate owner of the blue mountain geothermal power facility. i am a geological engineer by training with over 30 years of geothermal engineering exploration and assessment experience. i am the president of the canadian geothermal energy association and currently serve on the port of the geothermal resources council based in california.

mr. fairbanks. >> good morning, mr. chairman and the rest of the members of the committee. how is my microphone? i've been here to speak with you about the many good things occurring at blue mountain, both in terms of what is occurring at the power plant and also in the nevada region and beyond. these positive things are a result of the hard work of the nevada power and the blue mountain employees. the dedication of trusting lenders and of course the assistance of the department of energy section loan guarantees17 programs05 . -- 1705 loan gaurantee program. i am brian fairbank, president and ceo, nevada geothermal power inc. my geothermal experience has taken me around the world and has included by of example participation and the discovery of the year thermageothermal. extensive experience with dealing with parklands in nevada. i thought it would be good to explain why did we are optimistic about its future as a clean and reliable source of energy in the u.s. it has a unique resource of renewable energy. it is a product of heat generated and stored in the earth. kurt's co