An influential Nevada state lawmaker is questioning delays in developing solar power in the state four years after a law mandated greater use of alternate energy.
Senate Commerce and Labor Chairman Randolph Townsend on Wednesday criticized Solargenix Energy, which said it has been unable to arrange financing for a 50-megawatt, solar thermal power plant it wants to build in southern Nevada.
The project, in the Eldorado Valley near Boulder City, would provide power to Nevada Power Co. and help the utility meet minimum requirements for renewable energy use mandated by a 2001 state law.
The law directed Nevada Power and its affiliate, Sierra Pacific Power Co. of Reno, to obtain 5 percent of their electricity from renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind and geothermal, in 2003 and 2004. In addition, 5 percent of the minimum requirements must come from solar power sources under the law.
Nevada Power failed to satisfy the overall and solar requirements both years, and Sierra didn't meet the solar requirements.
The total gradually increases until it reaches 15 percent by 2013, but state officials are concerned that the utilities may be unable to comply.
Other developers also have encountered difficulty completing projects.
Earth Wind is behind schedule on a geothermal project in Elko County. Nevada Wind, formerly known as Ely Wind, has selected a new site for a wind farm and can't get financing until it obtains permits for the new location.
Richard Burdette, energy adviser to Gov. Kenny Guinn, said he is confident about the Solargenix and Nevada Wind projects, saying they have negotiated in good faith with the utilities and "I expect them to deliver."
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