Republican Gov. Jan Brewer says Arizona's economic future may hinge on making the state a hub for renewable- and nuclear-energy development that can both power the state and drive job creation.

Speaking Tuesday in Phoenix at a gathering of the Business Summit of the West, Brewer laid out what she called "a vision for Arizona's second century." It's one that leans heavily on the production of wind, solar and other leading-edge technologies as she looks to position the state as a leader in green energy.

Brewer also said it's time to revisit an older power source: nuclear.

"Let there be no doubt. Let there be no mistake. Let there be no mischaracterization: I'm a strong advocate for the development of more nuclear energy in Arizona," Brewer told the conference of elected officials and business leaders at the Arizona Biltmore Resort and Spa. "Nuclear power is at the cornerstone of our clean-energy future."

Her words come two decades after the completion of the state's Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station. The triple-reactor plant 50 miles west of downtown Phoenix was the nation's last such facility to come online.

Nuclear power is not considered renewable energy in the strictest sense. But Brewer stressed its value as a consistent energy source with stable costs and no greenhouse-gas emissions. There are about 3,000 employees at Palo Verde.

Even more promising in terms of job production are renewable energies, for which Brewer believes the state is well-suited with its wealth of sunshine, available workforce and corporate-tax incentives.

She pointed to the early success of tax incentives signed into law last year, which played a critical role in landing Suntech Power Holdings Co. The Chinese solar-panel maker plans to build a 100,000-square-foot Arizona factory.

"I assure you, it will not be the last one. I am committed to making Arizona the solar capital of the world," Brewer said. "In Arizona, we are firing on all cylinders . . . to attract renewable-energy industries."

Alternative energy represents "probably the most promising area of new job growth" for the state, said Glenn Hamer, executive director of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

In that regard, he said Tuesday's address figures to be instrumental in terms of rolling out Arizona's proverbial welcome mat to companies worldwide on the leading edge of energy production.

Said Hamer: "It's going to lead to a lot of points on the board when it comes to renewable-energy companies locating here."

Building off the solar tax credits already in place, Brewer said she'd like to identify additional incentives as well as the regulatory burdens, the so-called "green tape," preventing new development.

She signed two executive orders Tuesday that will create a Solar Energy Advisory Task Force and direct state agencies, public universities and other entities to coordinate planning for the development of renewable-energy projects. Some of Brewer's most pointed language came on the issue of nuclear energy. Any such nuclear development would have to be approved by the Arizona Corporation Commission and undergo a lengthy federal permitting process.

Brewer's willingness to so enthusiastically endorse nuclear power came as a surprise to some in the crowd - even those in the energy industry.

"She was passionate about it. She was almost strident. I said, 'Wow,' " said Martin Shultz, vice president of intergovernmental affairs for Pinnacle West Capital Corp., parent of Arizona Public Service, which operates Palo Verde.

This is just Brewer's latest foray into nuclear energy. In recent months, she backed the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality when it issued permits to a company interested in mining uranium in northern Arizona.

She also objected to a proposal by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management to withdraw uranium-mining claims on federal land near the Grand Canyon.

Sandy Bahr of the Sierra Club called Brewer's statements Tuesday a mistake, adding: "It's sad that she includes nuclear power in the same discussion about truly clean and renewable energies."

Bahr noted the environmental costs that come with mining uranium and storing the radioactive waste from nuclear power.

Those issues, along with political opposition, extensive federal permitting and up-front construction costs that can run into the tens of billions of dollars are central to why no new nuclear plant has been ordered in the United States in 30 years.

Obstacles aside, Shultz applauded Brewer for recognizing Arizona's need for a host of energy choices in the years ahead.

"She's trying to be realistic about Arizona's energy needs," Shultz said.