Renewable-power luminaries rooting for a senator who shares their vision

Justin M. Bowen

An energy round table featured, from left, Chris Brooks of Bombard Renewable Energy, John Wallin of Nevada Wilderness Project, Rose McKinney-James of Energy Works Consulting, lobbyist Alfredo Alonso and Tony Sanchez of NV Energy.

Stepanie Tavares

Thursday, July 29, 2010 | 2 a.m.

Renewable energy is often touted as Nevada’s last chance at greatness. It could diversify the economy, bring much-needed jobs and provide a vastly important resource to the rest of the country.

But Nevada competes with other Western states — particularly California, Arizona and New Mexico — for the large-scale developments and manufacturers that could bring about economic revival. Landing a big project or warehouse takes incentives and influence.

Because so much of Nevada — more than 80 percent — is controlled by the federal government, having a strong ally at the federal level is critical.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has strong ties to the renewable energy industry and a reputation as a backroom deal maker. Republican Sharron Angle has publicly expressed doubts about renewable energy’s ability to become a major energy source and economic powerhouse for the state but has little experience with the issues surrounding energy.

Which raises the question: What happens to Nevada’s renewable energy dreams if Angle beats Reid in the U.S. Senate race?

The Sun asked a group of local renewable energy industry leaders to discuss the candidates and the issues they think need to be addressed as the race heats up.

Rose McKinney-James, president of Energy Works Consulting and longtime solar energy advocate

Justin M. Bowen

Rose McKinney James, President of Energy Works Consulting

What are the most important issues in this Senate race for renewable energy?

I’m very focused on making sure that Nevada can take full advantage of all the federal policies that advance clean energy and climate. And I think we also have some issues around transmission, being able to provide the right infrastructure to advance clean energy.

What has each of the candidates done to affect the industry?

My advocacy work often takes me to Carson City to the state Legislature, so I’ve had an opportunity to observe Sharron Angle in that capacity. However, the only connection I can make to these issues relate to quotes I’ve read in the media. We’ve had no real interaction on this topic. I am puzzled and I guess a little incredulous about some of the quotes around clean energy. She suggests these resources are considered boutique and are unreliable. There are adequate data to suggest that’s not a well-informed position. On the other hand, I’ve worked very closely with Reid and his staff, who’ve been very proactive around this area. It’s a little difficult. It’s comparing apples to oranges. You’ve had one person who’s very vocal and active and one who’s not.

How does Reid’s inability to push through geothermal rent and royalty revenue-sharing legislation reflect on his reputation as a deal maker who gets things done? (Editor's note: That legislation has since passed the Senate and the House.)

In fairness, you’ll find many examples of efforts that were undertaken that haven’t yet succeeded. There is a huge public education component. There are technical issues that have to be considered. The plate is fairly full. This has been a busy and, some would argue, successful Congress with so many issues to deal with. There are going to be more examples of tough calls and tough things to push through. I’m hoping with all my might that we see something around comprehensive energy legislation with renewable portfolio standard and carbon pricing. That’s very difficult to do but part of the role is to make it happen. We all want to see what happens on the goal line, but zero to zero still keeps you in the game.

Chris Brooks, director of Bombard Renewable Energy, a distributed generation solar photovoltaic installation company

Justin M. Bowen

Chris Brooks, Director of Bombard Renewable Energy

What should a senator’s role be in economic development, such as in renewable energy, in their states?

A state like ours is so vulnerable, based on the fact that so much of it is controlled by one federal government entity or another. There are so many land use issues and renewable energy issues and energy issues in general, like transmission, permitting. These things are so dependent on being able to work with the federal government, and having someone in a leadership position at a federal level who can help out is imperative. Without that it would be difficult to get anything done.

What has each of the candidates done to affect the industry?

Reid helped set up the workforce training facilities to retrain our state’s construction workers to take advantage of the coming renewable energy projects. And a lot of those projects are starting to (move ahead) right now because of the training put in place years ago. That kind of aggressive action and foresight is what we need. I would love to hear from Sharron Angle what her plans are to help the state of Nevada in that respect.

Tony Sanchez, senior vice president of public policy for NV Energy, the state’s main electric utility

Justin M. Bowen

Tony Sanchez, SR VP of Public Policy for NV Energy

What should a senator’s role be in economic development, such as in renewable energy, in their states?

With the seniority system in the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives, we need our representatives to move up through that system to protect us. We’re a state with relatively few electoral votes compared to some of our electoral vote-rich neighbors. And we benefit greatly from having two representatives on the Ways and Means Committee (Reps. Shelley Berkley and Dean Heller). They help write the tax provisions that are going to help us build transmission and our advanced service delivery systems. Having the efforts of Sen. Reid in regards to development at the Test Site and his working with the Department of the Interior in expediting some of that permitting has been invaluable.

What has each of the candidates done to affect the industry?

Our entire congressional delegation has been critical to extending tax credits for renewable energy that can help us develop more transmission in Nevada. Without transmission, our renewable electrons have no way to go where they’re needed. Reid has obtained funding for Western Area Power Administration to get bonding authority for renewable transmission, and we have a memorandum of understanding for Western Area Power Administration for development of a transmission line up the west side of the state, independent of the OneLine. It’s those types of efforts working with our delegation that are going to benefit our customers and the renewable energy industry around Nevada.

Alfredo Alonso, lawyer with Lewis and Roca law firm and lobbyist for the Large-scale Solar Association

Justin M. Bowen

Alfredo Alonso, Lobbyist Large Scale Solar Association

What are the most important issues in this Senate race for renewable energy?

One of the things I’d like to see focused on is creating a hub in the West, ie Nevada, for renewable energy. That involves a lot of help with education as well as the implementation of these projects. The university system is incredibly important in that goal.

A national renewable energy portfolio standard is also critical to the industry. The national portfolio standard would give Nevada a chance to sell credits to the rest of the country. And directly connected to that is the need for improved transmission lines. Electrical transmission is the key to making all the pieces come together. And that needs federal support.

What has each of the candidates done to affect the industry?

We’re so dependent on the gaming industry that to me as a businessperson you have to see this as an incredible business opportunity. Reid has been in on this since before it was trendy. This technology has always worked; it was just a cost issue. He’s helped find ways to bring this technology to the forefront.

I’m a Republican and I’ve never heard a word from Sharron Angle on the topic. There seems to be a lack of interest, which is unfortunate because it’s incredibly important for the state and the rural counties. It’s about independence and Nevada finding a way to be independent of any economic woes that come in the future because we have a sustaining industry that can bring us through the good and the bad.

The legislation Reid has introduced has allowed tiny rural counties to compete on a national scale for renewable energy projects and eventually manufacturing and other jobs.

John Wallin, director of Nevada Wilderness Project, a conservation group aiming to balance habitat conservation with energy development in Nevada

Justin M. Bowen

John Wallin, Director Of Nevada Wilderness Project

What are the most important issues in this Senate race for renewable energy?

This Senate race is most interesting because we’re on the cusp of being a global leader on renewable energy production. It’s our group’s goal to see that’s not done haphazardly, but done well so our wildlife resources and habitat are protected. The main issue in the Senate race, with regard to this new Nevada clean-energy economy, is what candidate is most experienced and has the best track record of delivering resources that enable these projects to happen. There are a number of projects NV Energy is part of that if not for some creative and strong leadership at the Senate level, would not be here.

What should a senator’s role be in economic development, such as in renewable energy, in their states?

It is absolutely a senator’s job to create jobs. This is a small state that has very little influence on the national stage and cannot afford to easily compete in larger arenas without smart leadership, strong ideas and consensus building, and bipartisanship to get things done. In this race there is as stark a difference as possible.

What has each of the candidates done to affect the industry?

Reid’s work on the Lincoln County legislation on rent and royalty revenue sharing has been critical to our continued support of energy development in Nevada. The competitive leasing legislation creates a revenue stream for local governments and wildlife restoration and habitats. For many in Las Vegas, wildlife habitat restoration might not be a big issue, but by creating new revenue streams, Reid has demonstrated a real commitment to helping the state reach its potential, and not just the urban populations. Rural Nevada is struggling economically and the way he coordinated with sportsmen and rural county commissioners, it was leadership at its best. I think it’s something irreplaceable at this point. This is the type of effort where if you had a junior senator trying to lead the charge, there are so many sharp knives out, a little state like Nevada would get sliced up in a hurry.