Eighth Annual Summit Returns to Las Vegas Aug. 24 Featuring Discussion about Investing in Clean Energy

LAS VEGAS — "National Clean Energy Summit 8.0: Powering Progress" brings the next generation of clean energy development into focus with an in-depth look at large, trend-setting investments in clean energy. A recent example of those game-changing investments is the Nevada-based lithium ion battery plant, the "Gigafactory."

On Aug. 24 at Mandalay Bay Resort Convention Center, the summit will welcome leaders from Tesla Motors and Panasonic Eco Solutions to discuss why large-scale initiatives like it are needed, what these developments bring to communities and the future steps needed to capitalize on clean energy innovations. Moderated by Dan Klaich, Chancellor of the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE), the panel will feature insight from Diarmuid O'Connell, Vice President of Business Development at Tesla Motors and Jamie Evans, Managing Director at Panasonic Eco Solutions, two executives representing the companies behind the gigafactory in Nevada and clean energy investments across the country.

The "Ripple Effect: Game Changing Clean Energy Investments" discussion will focus on how significant clean energy investments have dramatic positive impacts on the surrounding communities, including job creation, fostering entrepreneurship and building economic diversity. The panel will also provide an opportunity to discuss cooperation between the public and private sectors to prepare the workforce to match the needs of a growing clean energy economy, with the gigafactory highlighted as one of many models of success.

"National Clean Energy Summit 8.0: Powering Progress" is co-sponsored by U.S. Senator Harry Reid, Center for American Progress, the Clean Energy Project, MGM Resorts International and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. In its eighth year, the summit has become the nations foremost clean energy conversation, with past speakers including Hillary Clinton, Bill Clinton, Joe Biden, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Elon Musk and many more. Sen. Harry Reid, John Podesta and Secretary Ernest Moniz will participate as speakers at this years summit, with additional details about speakers and panels to follow.

WHAT: "National Clean Energy Summit 8.0: Powering Progress"

WHO: U.S. Senator Harry Reid
John Podesta, former Counselor to President Barack Obama
Secretary Ernest Moniz, Secretary of Energy
Dan Klaich, Chancellor of the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE)
Diarmuid O'Connell, Vice President of Business Development at Tesla Motors
Jamie Evans, Managing Director at Panasonic Eco Solutions

WHEN: Monday, Aug. 24, 2015
9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

WHERE: Mandalay Bay Resort Convention Center
3950 S. Las Vegas Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89119

REGISTER: To register for Summit 8.0 and for the latest information about the panels and panelists, please visit cleanenergysummit.org