Nevada Clean Energy Thrives

By JOHN G. EDWARDS
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

Nevada’s clean-energy economy grew even faster than other sectors between 1998 and 2007, according to a study by The Pew Charitable Trusts. During that period, Nevada’s clean-energy industries increased employment by 28.8 percent to 3,641 jobs, compared to 26.5 percent for all jobs in the state. The clean-energy sector showed 9.1 percent job growth nationally, which was faster than the overall 3.7 percent job growth, according to a recent 59-page report on the clean-energy economy.

“That 28 percent growth rate is not insignificant. I think the sky is the limit,” said Dan Geary, Nevada spokesman for the Pew Environmental Group. “The West is going to continue to grow and to need more and more power.” Nevada benefits from some of the nation’s best solar energy and geothermal energy, he said. Geothermal energy comes from hot underground water and steam. “It’s good news for Nevada that kind of job growth has occurred without any kind of substantial public policy,” said Charles Benjamin, director of the Nevada office of Western Resource Advocates, a conservation group.

Nevada requires NV Energy to obtain increasing amounts of their power from renewable resources, such as solar and wind power, and provides tax incentives to build utility-scale solar power plants. However, “a lot of these more aggressive incentives occurred this legislative session, and this study doesn’t cover the effect of that,” Benjamin said. The clean-energy economy, as defined by the Pew report, consists of clean energy, such as renewable power; energy efficiency; environmentally friendly production; conservation and pollution mitigation; and training and support.

The first category includes projects such as Boulder City’s Nevada Solar One, a 64-megawatt, solar thermal power plant that provides power to NV Energy; a 14-megawatt array of solar panels at Nellis Air Force Base; Sempra Generation’s planned 48-megawatt addition to 10 megawatts of solar panels at Boulder City; and numerous geothermal power plants in Northern Nevada. The clean-energy economy also encompasses Power Efficiency Corp., which employs about 20 workers in Las Vegas in manufacturing systems for improving the efficiency of electric motors for elevators, rock crushing and construction conveyor belts. However, the clean-energy sector remains relatively small nationally, particularly in Nevada. Clean-energy jobs represent 0.28 percent of the 1.28 million jobs in Nevada, the smallest percentage of any state except Mississippi. Nationally, the sector accounts for 0.49 percent of jobs. “It remains to be seen” whether clean energy can become a significant economic driver in Nevada, Benjamin said.

Keith Schwer, director of the Center of Business and Economic Research at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, said he had not had an opportunity to review the report but agreed with Benjamin. “Can we build an economy to take advantage of the apparent advantages that we have?” Schwer asked. “That’s a great question for us, and we don’t know (the answer).” Like the first transcontinental railroad and the first manned flight to the moon, the development of Nevada’s clean-energy economy looks inevitable but needs a government boost, Geary said. “All of these things require comprehensive federal goals and policies,” he said. Benjamin said, “There’s virtually an unlimited amount of work that can be done to our homes and offices to have more efficiency.”

In addition, Nevada may benefit from the growing demand for renewable power in California, Benjamin said, because it is easier to obtain permits for renewable energy plants in Nevada.

Contact reporter John G. Edwards at jedwards@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0420.

The Business Case for Recycling

The Business Case for Recycling

Join Project ecoBrand for our second event in a series of monthly workshops and networking events focused on sustainability to help businesses “green up” their operations. For more information, visit www.projectecobrand.com

Don’t Throw Cash Out With the Trash
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Find ways to cut unnecessary expenses, give you more money for other business needs, and boost your bottom line.

In cooperation with UNLV Department of Environmental Studies, Project ecoBrand invites you to a panel discussion workshop focused on ways businesses can reduce waste and reduce costs.

Event details:
When: Friday, January 30, 2009 8AM – 10AM
Where: Greenspun Auditorium at UNLV Greenspun Hall
(Northwest corner of University and Maryland Parkway)

Topics include:
:: Fact vs. Fiction – Misconceptions & issues, state of recycling in Nevada
:: Bottom Line Cost Savings – Case study and example of cost savings
:: Getting Started – Waste prevention ideas that save you $$$$
:: E-waste Lifecycle – Understanding reuse or recycling for electronic equipment

Panel members include:

Tony Salazar – Nevada Recyclers Association, President
Bob Waldorf – Blind Center of Nevada, VP of Operations
Tara Pike – UNLV, Rebel Recycling Coordinator
Tim Stimple – GreenerVegas.org
Nancy Mehta – Cartridge World, President

Moderated by Sheryl Parks, host of Sparks to Flame radio show on 970 AM KNUU.

Networking opportunities and coffee break will be provided!

Meet other eco-conscious professionals and business owners. We hope to see you there.

Sustainable Sponsor Partners

UNLV Department of Environemental Studies
Herndon Soulutions Group
Liberty Salvage Material & Recycling
Nevada Recyclers Association
Cartridge World
Liquid Stucco of Nevada

Does your company provide green products or services?
Sponsorship opportunities available starting at $50. Details on Project ecoBrand online and event marketing packages available at www.projectecobrand.com. Please contact Tara at 702-556-8619 or tara@smartbrand.biz for more information.

G3REEN OUTLET OPENING AT THE ARTS FACTORY

Don’t miss this First Friday! Downtown’s monthly art festival is going green January 2, 2009 with the addition of the G3reen Outlet.

Located in the heart of the Arts District in downtown Las Vegas, G3reen Outlet is designed as an eco gallery, store and resource center focused on green living solutions.

Kick start your Green New Year’s Resolution at G3! Among the displays, Pulte DelWebb Homes will feature their new community, Villa Trieste, the first LEED certified and Solar Community in Nevada. Other participating partners include Liquid Stucco, Car Planet, and a variety of artists, designers, and green product suppliers. The event is free to attend.

Display space available for $100. Showcase your eco art and green products to 5,000 people attending First Friday events each month. Contact Tara at 702.556.8619 or tara@smartbrand.biz for details.

For details visit: http://ecobrand.ning.com/events/g3reen-outlet-opening-at-the

G3Reen Outlet Opening

Sustainable Workshop for Businesses – Save Energy, Save Money

Energy Workshop and Networking Event
Join Project ecoBrand for our first event in a series of monthly workshops and networking events focused on sustainability to help businesses “green up” their operations.

Event Details
Time: December 5, 2008 from 8am to 9:30am
Location: NV Energy – Wengert Room
Street: 6226 W. Sahara Ave.
City/Town: Las Vegas
Website or Map: http://www.projectecobrand.com
Contact Info: 702-556-8619
Event Type: Energy Efficiency, Workshop, Networking

Click here to RSVP

Save Energy, Save Money
Saving on your energy bills is an excellent way to cut unneccessary expenses, give you more money for other business needs, and boost your profits.

It’s easy to do. Whether you own or rent. There are many no cost/low cost things you can do yourself. With the practical tips offered in this workshop, you may be able to cut your energy costs substantially – and also improve comfort and productivity.

We’ve partnered with NV Energy for a breakfast workshop focused on ways businesses can save energy and reduce costs. Topics include:
:: Energy Saving Tips
:: Rebates & Incentives
:: Energy Efficiency & Conservation Solutions
:: Renewable Energy Solutions

Networking opportunties and continental breakfast will be provided!

Meet other eco-conscious professionals and business owners. We hope to see you there.

Does your company provide energy efficient and green products or services?
Sponsorship opportunities available starting at $50. Click here for details on Project ecoBrand online and event marketing packages. Please contact Tara at 702-556-8619 or tara@smartbrand.biz for more information.

 

 

The Wonders of Springs Preserve

It was one of the first truly inspriational explorations into the sustainable market sector that we had – and what a start to a journey it was.

Springs Preserve sits squarely in the middle of Las Vegas. The $250 million, 180-acre project is nothing short of a wonderland of low-water, energy-efficient buildings and gardens. The actual springs on this site once provided water for all of Las Vegas, which, by the way, means “meadows” in Spanish.

Now the The Las Vegas Valley Water District and a team of architects have restored and revamped the site with sustainability displays intended to raise public awareness of green-building practices. There are six football fields worth of low-water gardens, with 20,000 species of drought-tolerant plant life, plus a 30-acre “Cienega” or desert wetland.

This new facilities cannot be fashioned any other way than to say it’s the desert’s true oasis. Certainly an oasis among the glittering lights of the Strip that is clearly visible from many vantage points around the facilities.

The visitor attractions are incredible, and start near the front gate with The ORIGEN Experience:
A hands-on approach to understanding the fascinating history and fragile eco-system of the Las Vegas Valley.

There two main galleries, the ORIGEN Experience and the Desert Living Center.

The ORIGEN Experience enables visitors to sense the historic essence of the land. ORIGEN exhibits include a simulated flash flood, a gallery on the cultural history of the area and replicas of an ancestral pueblan village. Kids old and young are encouraged to dig for, and identify fossils and view live exhibits of local flora and fauna.

The Desert Living Center provides classes, training and exhibits that help residents learn practical tips about eco-friendly living that encourage and enable them to implement a wide range of green living tips into their daily lives.

The Las Vegas Springs Preserve offers a recreated desert wetland, a gift shop, a children’s playground with oversized replicas of various wildlife, a resource library, educational video games and a Nature Exchange, where kids can trade in their own shells, stones and other artifacts for other like items. There are also nature trails and 8 acres of gardens with over 1,200 plants species on site. An 1,800-seat amphitheater provides nighttime entertainment

While you’re visiting, you won’t want to miss the Springs Preserve Cafe operated by Wolfgang Puck with a surprisingly perfect view of the Strip skyline and in 2009 the Nevada State Museum will relocate to the Preserve. More on those incredible developments as they become available for the public.