I have to say that PRO Nevada is torn over the building of new Coal Plants in Rural Nevada. On the one hand bringing 800 temporary jobs and 110 permanant ones and the revenue generated by all those construction guys renting, buying food, and paying for there stay in rural Nevada is a GOOD THING. On the other hand PRO Nevada has been a staunch supporter of alternative energy in rural Nevada. We are so rich in natural resources for producing energy. Resources like the SUN, the WIND, and even geothermal are available in Rural Nevada. The price of turning these resources into energy is coming down all the time and with a boost from the feds and state it will get over the top. Back to the first "hand" PRO Nevada supports alternative energy because so much of our current energy needs are supplied by people who want to kill us and we have a hard time supporting terrorists by buying their oil. But coal is a "home grown" product and in abundant supply here in the states. So coal plants will support Americans and American jobs. Also, the energy is still cheaper and cheaper energy bills are good for rural Nevada.
I said all that to say this: PRONevada doesn't seem to have a horse in the race for the coal plants in Nevada. But we welcome any comments to help pursuade.
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2 comments:
Greetings PRO Nevada:
I work for Sierra Pacific Resources and thought you might appreciate some information that relates to your blog posting.
First of all, I agree with your comment that our nation needs to be as energy independent as possible. We are the Saudi Arabia of coal and Nevada’s solar, geothermal and wind resources are envious. It kills me (hopefully pun intended) that we buy so much oil from those who DO want to kill us. Natural gas is moving in that direction as well. If you do a news review, you will find a growing number of stories about potential natural gas shortages in the West and elsewhere in the United States and the growing need to import liquid natural gas (LNG) into our nation. We do need to use coal wisely and to use more and more renewable energy. I think you will find our company “like-minded” with the spirit of your blog.
Now, let me share a three-fold problem faced by our company. First of all, we reside in a state that is the fastest growing in the nation. Our company has a legal obligation to serve the growing electricity demand. Second, the energy we provide to our customers is far too dependent upon natural gas – which is approaching 75%. Our dependence on natural gas needs to be trimmed back. Thirdly, our two companies in the Reno and Las Vegas areas are NOT now interconnected, and our customers are loosing the opportunity for improved reliability and the exchange of geothermal energy from the North and wind energy from eastern Nevada and solar energy from the South.
We worked with our regulators, with key customers, with residential customer advocates, with environmentalists, etc. to develop the solutions to these three problems.
The solution is also three-fold. First, we are spending more effort and more money on energy efficiency programs to help our customers reduce their need for our energy product. We will invest $135 million in “demand-side management” programs over a thee-year period, and we’re proud of that. We also will be doing more and more in furthering renewable energy in Nevada. Already, we lead the nation in the use of geothermal and solar energy per customers. We will spend $2 billion to meet Nevada’s 20% renewable portfolio standard by 2015. But that is just the floor! Finally, we need to build our own generating facilities and not be so dependant on imported energy. The coal-fueled Ely Energy Center is an important component of our energy independence.
It will be the anchor for us to be able to use more renewable energy in Vegas and Reno. In fact, 11 new wind energy projects have been proposed in White Pine County since it was announced. These renewable energy folks cannot get their energy to market without such an anchor tenant that is willing to foot the foundation cost for the transmission line.
The Ely Energy Center will employ nearly 2,000 construction workers and 150 full-time employees for its first phase. Phase Two will add another 100 or so employees. It will multiply the tax revenues many times over for the communities in White Pine County, WITHOUT requiring the county to pay for infrastructure improvements. It will be the cleanest coal-fired power plant in the nation. For example, it will use eight different technologies to keep its emissions as low as possible. It will never be loved by everyone in that community, but it will be good for our customers and good for rural Nevada. And, it will be good for the environment, as we’ve committed to shutting down three older and higher polluting generating units when it comes on line.
We’re working through the air permitting and Environmental Impact Statement process, but it is taking time. There is no question that our state and its growing economies cannot survive without it.
Mark Severts
Project Communications Director
Ely Energy Center
Thank you! Keep the comments coming!
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