What is your opinion on renewable energy in the United States, and in AZ in particular? As you know, President Obama is pushing for "green" energy technologies to supplement the traditional fossil fueled types of energy used to power our lifestyles. In his State of the Union address, he even counted nuclear power as a clean energy technology.

Here in AZ, we obviously have a huge opportunitiy to make better use of solar power. There are many local companies that have gotten into the business of solar system installations on commercial and residentail buildings, which is also a tie into green building methods and LEED credits. There have also been a few wind corridors identified around AZ that could prove to be favorable for wind farm installations. There is a huge concentrated solar power project nearing permit approval in Gila Bend. The Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station may one day require expansion to meet the growing energy needs of the Valley.

We would like to hear your opinions on green energy and green technologies and how the application of these might provide economic benefits to our state and employment opportuniities for our members, while also helping to protect the environment in our beautiful state.

As some of you have heard, the ISA is instituing several changes, cost cutting measures, and is teaming with the Automation Federation. These measures are changing the traditional operation of the ISA and by implementing these changes, the ISA will continue to evolve as it struggles to survive. We would like to hear some comments from you. Please let the CENAZ Section know how you feel about these changes to your ISA.