Solar park receives Boulder City support
Tuesday, April 3, 2001 | 9:35 a.m.
Nevada Test Site Development Corp. has no hard plans and no money, but the Boulder City Council on Monday all but signed a lease for the nonprofit company to build a solar energy park in Eldorado Valley.
"Dreams aren't bad. Dreams are a good thing," Councilman Joe Hardy said of the proposed park. "Having no plan isn't unusual. And having no money isn't a crime. But I want to be on record saying that we know what we're doing and we know what we're saying."
Like other councilmen at a workshop, Hardy expressed some skepticism of the 5-year-old company's ability to come through on its promise to build a $35 million international solar research and display park in exchange for a $1 annual lease on land worth closer to $880,000 in yearly taxes.
But George Ormiston, chief operating officer of NTS Development, said without the promise of the land, he could do little to attract the green-energy institutes that he envisions would do scientific groundbreaking work at the park.
Ormiston said he would be contracting with research institutes from Europe, Africa and South America, but declined to name any. Many of the groups would be drawn from a 2-year-old alternative energy conference, GlobeEx, sponsored by NTS Development.
Ormiston said the park would be built using federal grants and private money.
The council will introduce the proposal for the park on April 10. The public will have a chance to speak at a hearing April 24.
The workshop was held after councilmen pulled the proposal from the agenda at last Tuesday's regular meeting. Councilman Bill Smith had expressed concern that the city charter might require the proposed energy park to go for a public vote before proceeding.
The charter allows for only solar-related uses and governmental uses in a 3,000-acre solar energy zone in the Eldorado Valley. That zone also includes the Eldorado Energy plant, which was built shortly before the charter was amended.
Smith said Monday he wanted the park to go to a public vote so the park could be opened to other alternative energy uses, but Uwe Rockenfeller, a consultant to the council, said the park wouldn't likely expand beyond solar-related uses for at least the first five years.
The council also revamped an earlier agreement that would have given the city 10 percent of net annual profits at the park.
City Manager John Sullard suggested the council remove the 10-percent clause and instead retain absolute negotiating power with the research companies who contract with NTS Development. The majority of those companies will be private companies, Sullard said, and as such, will provide the city with an expanded property tax base.
archive
- Most Read
- Discussed
- Most E-mailed
- Live Blog: Pacquiao wins by TKO in round twelve
- Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao: The only fight fans want to see
- Police seek man who stole $2,000 worth of clothing
- Bruised and battered, Cotto says he will fight again
- Boulder City struggles with shocking allegations
- Ensign Federal Credit Union fails
- Construction goes bust, equipment goes on auction block
- Live game blog: Rebels open season with 91-52 victory against Pittsburg State
- Temperatures plunge in Las Vegas
- At halfway point, NFL is all about the quick change
Blogs
The Greene Room
MWC Winners and Losers: Week 11 (1 Comment)
Elsewhere
Dana White continues to push for event in Abu Dhabi
Politics: Ralston's Flash
Harry Reid is powerful for Northern Nevada, too! (1 Comment)
The Kats Report
New face of Monte Carlo includes all the faces of Caliendo
The Greene Room
Predicting this weekend's Mountain West football slate (2 Comments)
Top Chef: Las Vegas
Top Chef Episode 11: Child's play
Miech Again
UNLV prez Smatresk is ready for some basketball (14 Comments)
Calendar »
- 16 Mon
- 17 Tue
- 18 Wed
- 19 Thu
- 20 Fri
-
Lily Tomlin at the Hollywood Theatre
Hollywood Theatre at MGM Grand
-
The Automatic Tour at The Square Apple
The Square Apple
-
Football specials at Diablo's
Diablos Cantina
-
Rhumbar presents Pink Sugar Mondays
The Mirage Hotel and Casino
The Sun
Locally owned and independent for more than 50 years.
Technorati






