Reid's rural press conference centers on energy, agriculture

Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., conducted a press conference Thursday to discuss issues relevant to rural Nevada and what has been done recently in Washington, D.C. on issues ranging from alternative energy to military training.

Reid said the first stage of counties receiving their share of geothermal rent and royalties revenue passed this week. Last year, an overlooked amendment in a House Resolution diverted 25 percent of royalties and land lease money to the federal government. He said Churchill County stands to receive $4 million once the revenue allocation is restored. Nevada Congressman Dean Heller has proposed legislation in the House of Representatives to restore the money. Once approved there, the measure goes to President Barack Obama for his signature.

Although the 25 percent allocation does not go to counties for wind and solar energy, Reid said there are good incentives for home owners and companies.

"We have tax incentives for them," he said. "We're also doing some good things for commercial businesses."

Earlier this week, Reid touted plans from A-Power Energy Systems to build a new wind turbine production and assembly plant in Nevada. He said the project will create much-needed jobs.

"This state-of-the-art facility will create more than 1,000 good-paying jobs for Nevadans who will build wind turbines for projects in North and South America," Reid said. "When combined with the news of the transmission line between northern and southern Nevada, and NV Energy's smart grid contract with the Department of Energy, it's clear that Nevada is embracing its role as the nation's clean energy leader."

A statement Thursday by private equity firm U.S. Renewable Energy Group, Chinese company A-Power Energy Generation Systems Ltd. and real estate developer American Nevada Company of Henderson said the 320,000-square-foot plant would be one of the largest manufacturing employers in southern Nevada. A site has not been selected.

The company said it would employ as many as 1,000 people.

Furthermore, Solar Energy Industries Association named Reid their Solar Champion of the Year for promoting solar energy development in Nevada and across the country.

Reid also said the U.S. Department of Agriculture will announce today that $16 million will be available for farmers and ranchers to deal with the sage grouse habitat.

Assistance for Nevada's farmers and ranchers will also be made available as part of a $1.5 billion nationwide agriculture disaster assistance program that was included in the Tax Extenders bill passed by the Senate on Wednesday. This assistance will help keep farm businesses operating while the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) fully implements the disaster programs included in the 2008 Farm Bill.

Reid said the assistance for ranchers is provided by making all Nevada counties eligible for the Livestock Forage Disaster Program, which compensates ranchers with grazing losses due to drought or fire and farmers who have lost land for crops.

The three livestock related programs in the Farm Bill permanent disaster program are not expected to be fully implemented until 2011, and this bill will offer near-term relief for those who have recently suffered losses. Reid said ranchers in Nevada's 17 counties are eligible to apply for the emergency disaster program.

Both Reid and Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., sent a letter to the chief of National Guard Bureau this week, asking Gen. Craig R. McKinley to consider Hawthorne Army Depot as a site for Counter Improvised Explosive Device-Defeat training.

HAWD has stepped up its availability for training during the past four years with the National Guard, the Reserves and active duty personnel using the facility for improving their combat skills

"We do have a role already," Reid said. "We just want to expand it. The military recognizes how good Hawthorne is ... you can't find a training place like it."

He said the training areas near the high-rising mountains to the west of Hawthorne parallel the Afghani landscape.