Krolicki to lead trade trek to Europe

Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki will lead Nevada's first trade mission to Europe that focuses on renewable energy.

He said the purpose is to link some of Nevada's renewable-energy companies with potential partners in Spain and Germany. The trip is set for June 9-16 and includes a visit to Intersolar Europe 2012, a major trade show to be held June 11-15 in Munich.

"These partnerships may be in the form of a direct investment, joint venture, technology sharing or joint development projects," Krolicki said.

He said companies interested in participating may qualify to have some of their trip expenses subsidized by the State Trade and Export Promotion grants. That program is administered by the governor's Office of Economic Development.

Further information is available from Jeff Sutich of economic development at 775-687-9902.

Reid, Heller tout jobsin highway bill

Both Nevada senators, Democrat Harry Reid and Republican Dean Heller, praised the passage of a new highway funding bill by the Senate.

And both urged the House to join in passing the measure to President Barack Obama's desk.

"This bill is an example of what can be accomplished when both parties work together," said Heller.

He said the measure provides "the certainty needed to invest in our state's critical transportation projects."

Reid, the Senate majority leader, described the legislation as a jobs bill "that will provide much-needed improvements to our nation's crumbling transportation infrastructure, while creating jobs and keeping our economy moving forward."

Nevada Department of Transportation Director Susan Martinovich said the bill, which provides $109 billion in highway funding to the states over the next two years, is the state's primary source of funding for constructing and maintaining roads.

"But it's not just about maintaining and constructing roads," she said. "It's about jobs."

NDOT spokesman Scott Magruder said Nevada has received well over $250 million in federal funding annually for the past several years. In 2010, the total was $316 million. The money comes from the federal and state gasoline and diesel taxes.

Report cites potentialenergy corridors

The Nevada Energy Assistance Corp. has issued a report identifying power transmission corridors that will eventually be needed to carry the state's renewable energy to other states.

The study was funded by a grant under the stimulus act and awarded to the non-profit NEAC by the state energy office. The purpose was to study the engineering feasibility of developing transmission lines to export renewable energy from Nevada.

Gov. Brian Sandoval said he hopes the task force can "identify the economic impacts that the burgeoning renewable energy industry can have on our state's revenue model."

The report looks in depth at the existing transmission system and its capacity and proposes three new corridors.

Sen. Steven Horsford, a member of the NEAC board, said the goal is to connect Nevada's renewable energy generators to the regional power grid.