Maps showing vast stretches of Nevada that would eventually be alternative energy generating sites linked to power transmission lines were outlined Tuesday by a special commission formed by Gov. Jim Gibbons.
The Nevada Renewable Energy Transmission Access Advisory Committee displayed the maps at a meeting held on the same day that Democratic state leaders met with U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Las Vegas, to discuss renewable energy.
The Republican governor said his advisory committee spent 18 months developing the maps which show how geothermal, wind and solar energy can be generated and linked to a power grid serving Nevada and other states.
"We're rolling out a comprehensive plan to utilize renewable resources within the state and for export to markets outside Nevada," Gibbons said, adding, "This puts Nevada about a year ahead of every other state interesting in doing similar things."
"Nevada can truly become energy-independent with this plan, and all we have to do now is to modernize our electrical grid infrastructure—and we're on our way to having a completely new legacy for the state," the governor said.
The advisory committee maps show solar power sites covering broad swaths of southern Nevada, and wind and geothermal energy areas in western, central and eastern parts of the state. It's estimated that the areas could generate tens of thousands of kilowatt hours of power.
The first phase of the transmission lines for the areas already is in the works. The state Public Utilities Commission voted earlier this month to approve the Southwest Intertie Project, which would run more than 200 miles from the Ely area to near Las Vegas. That project should be completed by 2011.
NV Energy wants to build a new coal-fired power plant near Ely. Sen. Reid has opposed the coal-fired plant, although Gibbons said it's "the funding mechanism for these power lines. It's a bridge to getting the line and meeting near-term energy needs."
Eventually, the line would be extended north from the Ely area to Idaho. Other lines would extend into Utah and California. Construction of the lines would cost hundreds of millions of dollars and take decades to complete.
Reid, an outspoken advocate of alternative energy, said he was unaware that his group's meeting in Las Vegas was being held while the governor's committee was in session. He said his group was picking up on work that began in August. Tuesday's session was closed to the media.
"I really don't know what the governor has done about renewable energy. I look forward to working with him," Reid said.
Among the items discussed in Las Vegas was the Democrat-controlled Assembly's renewable energy agenda. Assemblywoman Sheila Leslie, D-Reno, said the caucus plans to introduce four major bills next session, including one setting up a renewable energy commission.
The commission would oversee planning and financing of a modern transmission grid. The panel would consist of appointed officials who would work with the state treasurer and have the authority to issue bonds to finance the project.
Also being proposed are plans to let homeowners rent or lease solar panels from a renewable energy company that isn't a public utility; let local governments set up loan programs so that homeowners can finance renewable energy upgrades; and require government agencies to set deadlines for meeting energy efficiency standards.
