REID DEMANDS NEW ENERGY, WANTS COAL OFF THE WIRES

Senator Reid’s strategy is interesting. He sometimes seems so gentle, so almost meek. Yet here he is taking a bold stand against powerful energy interests. Nevadans who understand the urgency of moving from coal to New Energy should let his office know they back him. Would this strategy work in other states?

Senate Leader’s Bill Boosts Alternative Energy in Nevada
Brendan Riley, September 20, 2007 (AP via Yahoo Finance)

WHO
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev), Sierra Pacific Resources, parent company of Sierra Pacific Power Co. and Nevada Power, the Western Area Power Administration (WAPA), the Nevada Environmental Commission, Nevada Gov. Jim Gibbons

Why not power the Bright Lights with New Energy?

WHAT
To block new coal-fired power plants, Reid’s legislation makes it a Senate requirement of Sierra Pacific Resources to obtain 75% of the electricity it transmits over a proposed new multistate power line to come from “alternative energy.”

WHEN
No construction is finalized. All efforts are in play, decisions pending.

WHERE
Sierra Pacific Resources is based in Reid’s home state of Nevada. It is the parent company of Reno-based Sierra Pacific Power Co. and Las Vegas-based Nevada Power.

WHY
- If Sierra Pacific Resources chooses not to build the power transmission under Reid’s requirements, his legislation shifts responsibility for new transmission to the WAPA.
Sierra Pacific estimates the cost of the new transmission at $600 million. Reid allows $10 billion to WAPA, insuring construction of the line and development of the associated alternative energy sources.
- Senator Reid has recently spoken out against proposed eastern Nevada coal-fired poser plants. Environmentalists praise his action while Nevada business, especially in Las Vegas, worry about adequate power supply.
- The Nevada Environmental Commission has meanwhile rejected petitions from environmental groups attempting to stop coal-fired power plants with inadequate emissions controls and Nevada Gov. Jim Gibbons supports its position.

An enigmatic leader.

QUOTES
- Reid spokesman Jon Summers: “Sen. Reid is very clear in his opposition to the coal-fired power plants but also realizes the need to replace them with something else…"
- Gov. Jim Gibbons: “[It is wrong to stop construction of coal-fired power plants by companies that] have invested years and millions of dollars in facility design and the permitting process."