Thursday, Aug. 4, 2005 | 8:21 a.m.
Editor's note: In August the Where I Stand column is turned over to guest writers. Today's columnist is Pat Shalmy, president of Nevada Power Co.
LAS VEGAS has been one of the hottest regions in the United States -- and not just on the Weather Channel -- for decades. People are moving here in droves, seeking new opportunities, and the trend is continuing. Government agencies and utilities are working diligently to develop the massive infrastructure required to serve the homes and businesses springing up throughout our valley.
Nevada Power Co. is growing right along with this community, and our employees are focused on keeping up with the incredible growth. We installed a record 46,549 meters in 2004 and expect to match or exceed that in 2005. But what else is needed to ensure that Southern Nevada has ample supplies of reliable electricity in the future? Here's just a sampling of what's needed and what's being done.
Energy self-sufficiency: Nevada Power is completing construction of the Chuck Lenzie Generating Station in Moapa Valley and recently announced plans to acquire a 75 percent share of the nearby Silverhawk Power Plant.
Both facilities are fueled by clean-burning natural gas and employ the latest technologies to reduce emissions and protect air quality. They will produce a total of 1,625 megawatts. (A megawatt serves approximately 600 households.)
Considering that temperatures this summer have broken electricity consumption records, sometimes day after day, this new generation capacity will be put to good use.
Moving power more efficiently: Nevada Power is expanding its transmission grid to better move power from generating stations to customers. Our major project, the Centennial Plan, is scheduled for completion by early 2007, providing about 100 miles of high-voltage lines.
The goal of our operations is to improve efficiencies and further reduce reliance on volatile purchased power, the electricity we "import" from outside suppliers. These operating initiatives provide long-term benefits because the energy marketplace already has demonstrated its susceptibility to crooks like Enron and others who in the past found ways to manipulate prices.
All-important green power and conservation: Besides adding traditional resources to our energy mix, Nevada Power is committed to renewable energy and conservation programs.
Nevada has one of the most ambitious renewable energy laws in the nation, encouraging development of our state's abundant supplies of sun, wind and geothermal power.
Unfortunately, renewable energy projects have encountered obstacles because some entrepreneurs have had difficulty obtaining financial backing.
Fortunately, our state legislators took prompt action during their 2005 session. They revised the original renewable energy law to allow Nevada Power and Sierra Pacific Power to satisfy a portion of our renewable requirements through energy conservation programs.
State Sen. Randolph Townsend, Assembly Majority Leader Barbara Buckley and Assemblywoman Chris Giunchigliani deserve much credit for steering this legislation through the Legislature. Additionally, the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada provided strong support for this and other measures that will improve our state's energy infrastructure.
Among other things, tax incentives were created for businesses to construct energy efficient buildings, and state agencies are required to reduce their energy consumption 20 percent by 2015.
Additionally, Nevada's Solar Energy Demonstration program was extended to 2010. This program, SolarGenerations, brings solar energy directly to customers -- offering incentives to install photovoltaic panels at homes and businesses. More than $1 million in rebates has been paid to participants, including the Clark County School District, which earned a $250,000 rebate for solar installations at four schools.
It is clear that the benefits of energy conservation are very important to our state overall and to individual customers.
You may have seen Nevada Power's current "Summer of '78" advertising campaign urging residential customers to set their air conditioning at 78 degrees to realize possible savings up to 25 percent on power bills. Not only can individual household budgets benefit, each small piece of conservation combined with many others can help stabilize energy supplies throughout our community.
Most importantly, the actions I've written about today -- large and small -- can help make Nevada more energy self-sufficient and "greener" than we've ever been before. Clearly, it's not just Nevada Power's job -- this community's energy challenges are worthy of the understanding and support of every citizen.
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