Nevada HAS TO LEAD!

It is time for Nevada to step up. The LVRJ again this past Sunday touted the potential in Nevada for being the leader in alternative energy. Again and again editorials and bloggers have touted the POTENTIAL in Nevada. They have told us over and over again how we SHOULD or COULD be leading in this.

Nevada is in a unique position right now. Sure we hear the bellyaching of our Schools with the decreasing of their INCREASE in funds this year but there is a lot of money out there for alternative energy solutions. We have state representatives like Ed Goedhart of District 36 (a Republican) and we have state senators like Dina Titus (a Democrat) who are working to make changes along with a handful of others but they need help.

Here are a few ideas:
1] Take away the "incentives" of companies to be LEED certified and give the money to our Public Schools to be used ONLY FOR SOLAR POWER on their facilities - the gift that keeps on giving. LEED certification is still too nebulous and still too easy for a smart businessman to get around. There is enough incentive in businesses to go green without the state sponsoring it.
2] Newspapers, who constantly tout alternative energy, sponsor Alternative Energy Awards and grants. They can raise awareness and promote experimentation by offering $1 million in prizes for companies and/or individuals in categories like: Most innovative use of alternative energy; Most dramatic decrease in traditional power usage; Gadget with most potential; Most innovative new idea; or WHATEVER.
3] How about making all the neighborhood associations get involved! Recycling projects, collection locations and how about each neighborhood association haveing to generate 10% of their own power! There is enough garbage and enough sun and wind to power the neighborhood if they want to coordinate it.

I am sure you have ideas too, so respond to this blog and I will make sure they get posted and sent to people who can do something about it. This isn't a political issue, it is a practical issue. Can you imagine Nevada being the first state in the Union that is TOTALLY ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SELF SUFFICIENT! Can you imagine? I can!