Guinn: Nevada lacks funding for major pollution, conservation efforts

Brendan Riley

Wednesday, April 26, 2000 | 10:09 a.m.

CARSON CITY - Gov. Kenny Guinn said Tuesday that Nevada has many anti-pollution and energy-saving programs - but lacks funding for incentives some states use to get more people involved in those efforts.

The governor commented after speaking at a "pollution solution" exhibit, sponsored by the National Environmental Trust, that stopped at the Nevada Capitol while on a nationwide tour.

Some states, including neighboring California, have rebates or other incentives to help people pay for solar energy systems in their homes. But Guinn said those states also collect a lot more taxes than Nevada.

"We don't have all the revenue to do what other states can do," the governor said. "Some states can be a little more aggressive" in promoting energy alternatives.

For now, Guinn said the state can work on education programs and ensuring that new government buildings or vehicles are energy-efficient, and that road-building projects comply with environmental requirements.

Nevadans with their own electrical generation systems, such as solar roof panels, also can run surplus power into the electrical grid - meaning lower bills as their meters run backward.

Organizers of the "pollution solution" tour showed off dozens of available items, ranging from power-generating solar grids for homes to new cars that can go 60 miles on a gallon of gasoline thanks to back-up electrical power.

They also pushed use of energy-efficient appliances, saying average utility bills could be $90 less a year than they are now if people bought the new appliances.

Also on display were energy-efficient lights, solar-powered radios and car battery chargers, an electric-powered motor scooter and devices that use rays of the sun to heat up water.

"For years we said, 'Someday, technology will make us less energy-dependent,"' said Dan Geary of the Environmental Trust. "Well, now the technology is here."

"Now it's up to us as consumers to start integrating this new technology into our lives and our homes."