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.

Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Corridor Development Announcements At Nevada State Legislature

ZERO EMISSION VEHICLE (ZEV) CORRIDOR DEVELOPMENT ANNOUNCEMENTS AT STATE LEGISLATURE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 16, 2009

Media Contact: Larry DeVincenzi
Project Outreach Coordinator
Cell: 775.771.7004

ZERO EMISSION VEHICLE (ZEV) CORRIDOR DEVELOPMENT ANNOUNCEMENTS AT STATE LEGISLATURE

WHAT: The Renewable Energy Accelerator (REA250) in collaboration with state and local officials and private industries will announce initial agreements to begin development of a zero emission vehicle corridor on Interstate 80 through northern Nevada and California.   Together, they will announce an environmentally responsible process that can be the template for implementation nation-wide.

WHERE: Legislative Building steps, 401 S. Carson Street, Carson City, NV

WHEN: Thursday, April 16th, 2009 at 10 a.m.

DETAILS: The University of California, represented by Co-Director Daniel M. Kammen of the Berkeley Institute of the Environment and the Nevada Renewable Energy Integration and Development Consortium of the Nevada System of Higher Education, which is represented by President Steve Wells of the Desert Research Institute, have agreed to develop a feasibility study proposal for the new Zero Emission Vehicle Corridor from Berkeley, California to Reno-Sparks, Nevada.

The feasibility study will focus on the development of infrastructure needed to support the testing and development of Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) and associated highway and community networks.   Research will also address the needed business, legal, and governmental oversight structures necessary to rapidly convert to zero emission vehicles.

The Corridor utilizes the wide range of environmental conditions on a short stretch (240 miles) of Interstate 80. It is anchored on one end by the innovative technology environment found in the East Bay/Bay Delta areas of California including:
•      Ground breaking environmental, energy and vehicle technology research capacity
•      A wide range of existing public-private partnerships for ZEV’s
•      A growing market for ZEV’s
•      At the other end of the corridor, the Reno/Tahoe Region of Nevada is located in a beautiful mountainous/high desert location that has:
•      An exceptional business climate located in a major transportation hub for the West Coast
•      Exciting educational and tech commercialization opportunities
•      Unique geothermal and other renewable energy assets to support the production of ZEV’s.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid offered his support of these developments: “This is a tremendous step forward as we work to make our state the leader in clean energy,” said Reid. “Renewable energy has the potential to power not only all of our homes, but also all of our cars. I am pleased to support this collaboration, which will help protect our air while creating much-needed jobs in Nevada.”

“Advancing green technology and renewable energy must be a top priority, and I’m hopeful that as these types innovations are proven, they will become more and more a part of our everyday lives,” said Senator John Ensign, who led efforts in Congress to ensure passage of a bill to encourage renewable energy development across the country. “Our plan must include a vast array of resources such as solar, wind, geothermal and more to ensure our security and protect our environment.”

The Zero Emission Vehicle Project was initiated by a group of Reno-based business visionaries and local, state, and federal governmental leaders and facilitated by REA250 staff. They envisioned a ZEV corridor that would enhance and accelerate the research and development of new technologies in both California and Nevada while creating the infrastructure for an emerging zero emission vehicle industry in Northern Nevada.

Susan Clark, Ph.D. and co-founder of the Renewable Energy Accelerator notes “We have now assembled the best and brightest in Nevada, while engaging our neighbors in California, to leverage its renewable energy resources, excellent business climate, and sophisticated networks to make sure that Northern Nevada is the epicenter of an accelerated American ZEV economy.”  Clark will present Thursday’s announcement on the Legislature steps, and continue to initiate future development of the ZEV corridor project.

ZEV Project accomplishments to date include:
•      Outreach to ZEV companies looking for production facilities that utilize renewable energy resources for production.
•      The assemblage of land and initial funding to support the private development of office buildings and production facilites powered by renewable resources.
•      The on-going development of the business and legal structure needed to support the rapid development of a ZEV economy in Northern Nevada as a model for the US conversion.

STORY ANGLES:

•      Acceleration of a zero emission vehicle economy in Northern Nevada
•      Nonpartisan support of ZEV corridor development with support from educational, private and public entities.
•      Collaboration of a integrated renewable energy entities for Nevada that are inclusive of existing programs and responds to state and federal mandates
•      Support for inclusive dialog to create effective policy infrastructures and outreach strategies for renewable energy generation in Nevada
•      Continue developing 250 Bell Street, which has become a center for community events, as a “net-zero” facility

Founders Susan and Don Clark with their team of highly ambitious and qualified business professionals identified the need for an action-oriented strategic organization designed to accelerate the use of renewable energy resources in Nevada. The Renewable Energy Accelerator at 250 Bell (REA250) was created to meet said demand. In alignment with national, state, and local renewable energy policies, the REA250 was established for the sole purpose of advancing Nevada’s economic and environmental sustainability while providing a role model for other regions.

REA250 was developed to meet the needs for high-stakes, fast-moving solutions in renewable energy.

REA250 is part of a larger collaborative at 250 Bell Street including the Education Design Group, Sierra Club, Dynamic Competence, Cathexes Architecture, Clean Energy Center, Great Basin Wind, Bombard Renewable Energy,  Renewable Nevada and SmartBrand.

Other regional collaborators include Northern Nevada Urban Development Company, Nevada System of Higher Education, Nevada County School Districts, Building and Trade Councils, Electrical Workers Union, AFL-CIO, and various industry representatives and consultants.
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World’s First Green Visitors Center In Nevada

The world’s first completely green-energy based visitors center is located in Tonopah, Nev.  Located halfway between Las Vegas and Reno on U.S. 95, the center is built of recycled materials and runs entirely on power created by solar panels and a wind generator. Inside the center, visitors learn about renewable energy through detailed displays while also watching it in action. The center, located on U.S. 95 at the south end of town, provides tourist information on Tonopah and other Nevada locations as far north as Reno-Tahoe and as far south as Las Vegas.

For further information regarding the Tonopah Tourist Information Center contact the Tonopah Chamber of Commerce at www.TonopahChamberofCommerce.com <http://www.TonopahChamberofCommerce.com> or call 775-482-3859.

The darkest skies in the United States look down on Tonopah, Nev., the former mining town situated halfway between Reno and Las Vegas on U.S. 95, making it the best stargazing location in the country, according to USA Today. By day, this “Queen of the Silver Camps” as it’s known reveals a history waiting to be explored complete with a Historic Mining Park, the Central Nevada Museum and numerous murals and monuments throughout town. Located “in the middle of everywhere,” Tonopah also grants access to unsurpassed outdoor adventure from mountain biking and hiking to off-roading, climbing, camping and even turquoise mining.

Northern Nevada Welcomes The Clean Energy Center

Rich Hamilton has a vision—to help Northern Nevadan’s conserve energy,
reduce carbon emissions, lower their energy bills and build a cleaner
energy future. To bring his vision to life, Rich has created the Clean Energy Center in Reno.

“The Clean Energy Center is more than a place to come for the latest clean energy products and services,” said Rich. “It’s an information center as well. We encourage people to visit us and learn about the latest technologies and the newest and most effective ways to conserve energy.”

The Clean Energy Center is a one-stop-energy shop. Everything is offered from energy auditing
services to wind turbines and solar photovoltaic systems and everything in between. “At the Center we take a solution approach to energy,” explains Rich, “we start by identifying your energy challenges, then together we develop a set of goals and objectives, and finally we match you with the products and services that will meet those goals.”

In order to provide the most holistic solutions possible, the Clean Energy Center partners with leading technology suppliers, licensed contractors and architects. For existing homes or buildings the solution typically starts with an energy audit or rating. From there an individualized energy saving strategy is developed. Strategies can include basic behavioral changes, switching to compact florescent light bulbs, or adding insulation to solar hot water and solar thermal systems to solar photovoltaic and wind generation systems.

New projects typically start with the decision to build to a higher energy efficiency standard. “The most important thing when considering a new project, residential or commercial, is getting over the fear of going in a new direction,” emphasizes architect Don Clark of Cathexes. “There is a myth that sustainable design, beautiful design, and
cost-efficient design cannot coexist and it is simply not true. Making the decision to design with all of these aspects is achievable; you just need to make critical decisions early for the most benefit.” Using this as inspiration, when consulted on a new project, the Clean Energy Center collaborates with individuals like Don Clark to match beautiful design with the Center’s extensive knowledge of energy conservation standards and energy generation systems.

The Clean Energy Center strives to be a “walk your talk” company, whose values are just as sustainable and socially responsible as the products and services it provides. Empowering individuals who work at the Center to be self-directed and essential team members is a fundamental notion; it is this philosophy as well as their own concern for a cleaner future that motivated Perry Smith and Monica Milldrum to join Rich in furthering his goals. The three are now the driving force behind the Clean Energy Center. For Rich, ‘“walking your talk” begins with employee relations yet it quickly extends outward to customers, vendors, and into the community at large.”

The same applies to sustainability said Rich: “If we at the Clean Energy Center act locally to conserve energy and build a cleaner energy infrastructure, our community will begin to do its part by reducing global carbon emissions. Additionally, we will encourage independence from foreign energy sources and enhance our global economic and
political security. The Clean Energy Center is Northern Nevada’s first step in that direction.”