NVision Bill is Signed into Law - Bonanza for Renewables? (Las Vegas Review Journal)
On Tuesday Governor Sandoval signed into law Senate Bill 123 that requires Nevada utility NV Energy to get rid of 800 MW of coal-generated electric power by the end of 2019 and replace it with 350 MW of renewable energy and 550 MW of power from sources other than coal. The company has announced its intentions to close the Reid Gardner coal-fired plant (PDF) near the Moapa Indian Reservation.
Critics contended the bill took some regulatory control away from the Public Utilities Commission and might lead to higher rates. But the new law specifies the utilities commission can make modifications to NV Energy plans that the utility must accept or else withdraw its plans.
According to their website NV Energy signed their first geothermal energy agreement in 1983, and their customers are now benefiting from more than 385 MW of installed geothermal energy capacity in Nevada. NV Energy has new contracts for more than 150 MW of additional geothermal energy, which is in the construction or development stage.
Governor Sandoval and Michael Yackira, CEO NV Energy have been invited to speak at the Opening Session of the GRC Annual Meeting, Sept. 29-Oct. 2 at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas. Rebecca Wagner, Commissioner, Nevada PUC has accepted the invitation.
