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Sierra Pacific Invests in Renewable Energy
Since the early 1980s, Sierra Pacific Power has included renewable energy sources in its energy portfolio. Currently 9% of northern Nevada's energy portfolio is made up of geothermal resources, which is among the highest percentage of any utility in the country. The state of Nevada requires that electric utilities gradually increase their use of all types of renewable energy until these forms of green power account for 15 percent of total energy consumed.
In June, Sierra Pacific signed an agreement with ORNI 7, an indirect subsidiary of ORMAT Nevada, Inc., to buy 20 megawatts of renewable power generated by geothermal energy from a plant at Steamboat, south of Reno, Nevada. One megawatt of electricity can supply approximately 650 homes.
New Renewable Contract
Solar Program Fills Up Quickly
In August, Sierra Pacific Power and Nevada Power rolled out the SolarGenerations program to encourage the installation of photovoltaic systems in Nevada. The program gave rebates to residential or commercial customers who installed solar systems. In the first 15 days, applications for more than 240 kilowatts of residential and commercial projects, and more than 250 kilowatts of public buildings and school projects were submitted, exceeding the state limit for the first year.
Schools Get Solar Power
In May, Sierra Pacific unveiled a solar/wind generating system at Traner Middle School in Sparks. This is the first of four such sites to be installed this year under the Desert Research Institute's GreenPower Program. Each system will generate approximately 2.4 kilowatts of power for the school along with an interest and awareness in students concerning alternative energy technology. Other schools scheduled to receive the systems include Carson Junior High School in Carson City (February, 2005), Mendive Middle School in Sparks (October 27), and French Ford Middle School in Winnemucca (December).
Loyalton Senior Apartments Get Geo-Eexchange System
Residents of Loyalton, California's Sierra Valley Senior Apartments now enjoy energy-efficient heating and cooling. With California state funds, Sierra Pacific spearheaded the replacement of apartment electric baseboard heaters with a geo-exchange system that uses the earth to provide a consistent, comfortable temperature far cheaper than conventional methods. It also provides air conditioning, which the apartments had lacked. This project will serve as a demonstration site for the state of California.
Sierra Pacific Supports Our Communities
Sierra Pacific Resources Charitable Foundation has awarded more than $118,000 in major grants to the following organizations during the first half of 2004.
- Boy Scouts of America - Nevada Area Council
- Desert Research Institute
- Girl Scouts of the Sierra Nevada
- Great Basin College
- Nevada Museum of Art
- Truckee Meadows Community College
- United Way of Northern Nevada and the Sierra
- VSA arts of Nevada
- Western Nevada Community College
- Rural Economic Development Grants
- University of Nevada Reno - Knowledge Center
- Lake Tahoe Community College
Dozens of other organizations throughout northern Nevada also received smaller grants. Sierra Pacific was also proud to be a presenting sponsor of Artown and the Reno-Tahoe Open, and a sponsor of Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Northern Nevada's LEAD program, which is designed to train Hispanic leaders to take a more active role in community affairs.
