March 3, 2008 (revised) (originally released February 13, 2008)

In 2001, Nevada passed one of the most aggressive laws mandating the use of renewable energy. The law required that 5% of the renewable energy developed come from solar energy projects. Organized labor and environmentalists joined in support of this provision. Labor believed the solar projects would provide jobs in Nevada, but they also hoped that the legislation would be used to attract firms with breakthrough technologies to locate in the state. A successful demonstration of the breakthrough in Nevada would then open new world-wide markets and opportunities.