In December 2010, the White House announced that the U.S. Department of Energy had offered a commitment for a $1.4 billion loan guarantee to Abengoa Solar Inc. to support the construction and start-up of Solana and to further the nation's energy independence goals. The Solana project is slated to generate 1,700 construction and operation jobs and is expected to support numerous other jobs around the country.
"Energy independence is one of the most important issues facing our nation today," said U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill of Missouri. "These important investments in renewable energy projects will put us on the path to energy independence while protecting or creating jobs here in Missouri and around the country."