Support seen for ‘green’ energy sources

Thursday, April 26, 2001 | 11:28 a.m.

A bill that could help define Nevada's energy future is scheduled for a vote by Friday.

Called the Renewable Energy Portfolio Requirement, the bill would require state utilities to buy more and more energy from so-called "green" sources such as wind, solar, and geothermal, or underground heat, during the next decade.

The goal is to supply 15 percent of Nevada's electricity from these sources by 2013. They're called renewable because they don't run out, unlike gas or coal.

"Just as you need to have a diverse stock portfolio, it's time for us to have a more diverse energy portfolio in Nevada," said Assemblyman Doug Bache, D-Las Vegas, chairman of the Energy Committee and a supporter of the bill.

Nevada now supplies most of its electricity from gas and coal, with less than 10 percent coming from hydroelectric plants. Sierra Pacific, sister company to Nevada Power, says that it is in favor of these environmentally friendly sources of energy, but it is not sure about the price tag.

"We support renewable energy, and Northern Nevada gets 5 percent of its energy from underground heat," company spokeswoman Faye Andersen said. "But we also support affordable power."

A similar bill passed the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee earlier this month despite testimony from Sierra Pacific, objecting on the grounds that if utilities are required to buy energy from renewable sources it would cost consumers $300 million statewide.

"Those figures are bogus," energy lawyer and former state consumer advocate Jon Wellinghoff said during a Sun editorial board meeting. "The problem is that utilities are hesitant to enter into long-term contracts with these sources, since they are basically an unknown entity."

Assemblywoman Marcia de Braga, D-Fallon, sponsor of the bill, said, "We've seen that gas prices are going up and sources like wind and geothermal could be competitive, if only given a chance."