Nevada Senator Harry Reid sent a letter to his Blue Ribbon Panel on energy calling for a coordinated economic development strategy that attracts renewable energy companies to Nevada. Reid shared positive steps that have been taken at the federal level and encouraged Nevada’s leaders to take advantage of the opportunities that have been created by recent acts of Congress. Reid asked panelists to share their ideas for creating conditions to ensure Nevada’s leadership role in the nationwide clean energy economy. The Blue Ribbon Panel is made up of leaders from government, academia, industry, labor, science, and the business community.

Below is the text of the letter:

Dear Blue Ribbon Panel,

Thank you for attending the roundtable in Carson City this past month. I appreciated your updates as we move forward together to develop a clean energy future for Nevada.
 
Since our last meeting, I have introduced the Clean Renewable Energy and Economic Development Act of 2009 which will designate renewable-rich energy zones in rural areas and on public lands and accelerate the development of transmission lines to get clean energy to market.  
 
I also have been hard at work coordinating the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding with the different Federal agencies. My office will be providing more news on the implementation of these funds to ensure Nevadans have accurate and timely information to compete for grants and loan guarantees from the America Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
 
Just this past week, the Congress passed another appropriations in bill in which I secured nearly $15 million for energy-related research and development projects around the state. This continued investment in our scientific and technology base will position Nevada as a leader in America’s clean energy economy and translate into good paying jobs.   
 
As a complement to these federal programs and incentives, Nevada must take full advantage of every opportunity to stabilize energy rates, create jobs and decrease our dependence on foreign energy sources.  It would be helpful to have a coordinated economic development strategy for the state that will diversify our economy into clean renewable energy generation and technology development and achieve those goals.  This will allow us to compete with other states in attracting job creating businesses.  

Before our next meeting, I would like to hear back from you, stakeholders in Nevada’s clean energy future, on how we can best move forward to make that happen. How do we create opportunities within our state to ensure Nevada is the leader in the transition to America’s clean energy economy?

Thank you for your leadership on this crucial issue.