Energy giant BP Amoco looking at marketing opportunities in Nevada

Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2000 | 11:18 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- BP Amoco, one of the world's largest producer of oil, doesn't plan to explore for oil in Nevada but says there may be ample opportunity to sell its solar panels in the state's growing economy.

Bob Malone, president of the western operation of BP Amoco, is touring Nevada after the company's recent acquisition of Arco to look at firm's properties. And he's "looking at the potential" Nevada holds for the firm.

Malone said BP -- formerly British Petroleum -- is the largest producer of natural gas in the United States and he would like to sell it in Nevada to plants to produce electricity. The company is also the world's largest maker of solar panels and Nevada presents a good market with its sunny days and the economic growth in Clark County.

He had no answers about when gasoline prices might lower. The reason for the increase is the demand is high and the supply is limited, he said. When the supply catches up, consumers might see lower prices, he said.

There is a "tremendous amount" of natural gas but companies must develop systems to extract it and ship it to customers. He said BP has 30 percent of the natural gas in Alaska and the trick is to get it to the lower 48 states.

Malone and his staff met with Sen. Randolph Townsend, R-Reno, who is chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee that drew up most of the bill on Nevada electric deregulation. And they conferred with Gov. Kenny Guinn. Malone praised Guinn for appointing a study committee to develop an energy policy for Nevada.

His company is not involved in deregulation and he's not sure why the open market created in California encountered severe problems.

Malone says BP doesn't intend to change the Arco gas station operations in the West at the present time.

With the purchase of Arco, BP took over the environmental liability of the former Anaconda copper mine near Yerington. Malone said the company is assessing that property.