Friday, Jan. 29, 2010 | 6 a.m.

Starla Lacy

Starla Lacy plays a big role in making sure NV Energy is taking strides toward its renewable energy portfolio goals. While other NV Energy departments seek out potential “green” power generation sites, it’s Lacy’s group that then moves forward with permitting and environmental oversight procedures.

As part of a renewable portfolio standard put in place by Nevada lawmakers in 2005, NV Energy must have 20 percent of its power generated from renewable sources by 2015, an ambitious goal Lacy is confident the utility can achieve. Since 2003, NV Energy has doubled its generation capacity by adding high-efficiency natural gas plants. Meanwhile, it currently has about 1,000 megawatts of renewable energy projects (such as wind, sun, geothermal, etc.) under contract or in development, Lacy said.

“Our company has traditionally been fairly quiet about its accomplishments. But we have such a deep commitment to sustainability,” she added.

Actively involved in monitoring the utility’s carbon foot-print, Lacy also helped create NV Energy’s sustainability report in 2009, something she plans to continue in 2010 and beyond.

“I think people need to feel good that the power we generate is in the most environmentally-friendly way possible,” she added. “We want to continue with our community involvement and be accessible to people who have questions about our carbon footprint.”

By Brian Sodoma, Contributing writer