Governor Creates Nevada Military Solar Energy Task Force

Governor Jim Gibbons announced the formation of the Nevada Military Solar Energy Task Force. This is another step in support of Governor Gibbons’ efforts to encourage the creation of renewable energy generating facilities. The task force will seek ways to streamline and expedite private investment in large and small solar energy projects on Nevada Lands used by military.

“The focus of the task force will be to take action in hours, days and weeks, not months and years.” Gibbons said, “Positive working relationships break down the traditional roadblocks to solar projects between federal, state and local agencies. The task force will create renewable energy successes across commercial, educational, military and public entities.”

Governor Gibbons appointed Chief Warrant Officer James Groth of the Nevada Army National Guard’s facilities and environmental office to chair the task force. "It is exciting for the Guard to be a key component in the State’s effort to move toward more renewable energy. Not only is this program a great fit for our State role, but also adds to the efforts being made to meet the Department of Defense policy to become more energy efficient. This is just the icing on the cake of several years of hard work by our dedicated Guard members,” said Major General Cynthia Kirkland, the Adjutant General of Nevada.

As part of the Department of Defense energy consumption policy, the Nevada Guard has been active in the promotion of renewable energy projects and is currently developing three solar energy sites in Carson City and Las Vegas. “Capitalizing on the state’s vast renewable energy potential and the job creation in these new technologies are vital to Nevada’s future.” Groth said.

The task force will focus specifically on generation site potential and rapid development. Officer Groth, will work closely with Dr. Hatice Gecol, the Governor’s Energy and Science Advisor and Director of State Energy Office The task force will promote and work with public and private entities to take advantage of opportunities for renewable energy public/private partnerships. "I am looking forward to working with Chief Warrant Officer James Groth and applaud his commitment to the development of the solar energy industry in Nevada. He will do an excellent job identifying potential sites and overcoming the challenges of government regulations that will lead to efficient and effective implementation of the Governor’s renewable energy policies. “Gecol said.

Other members of the task force will be announced in the near future.

(Editors: Contact Dr. Hatice (hah-TEE-chay) Gecol at 775-684-5675)

Governor Requests Waiver To Provide Greater Flexibility In The Use Of Stimulus Dollars For Education

Governor Jim Gibbons today sent a letter to the United States Secretary of Education officially requesting a waiver of maintenance of effort requirements in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Action of 2009 (Stimulus Package). 

In order to access the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund in the ARRA, states must maintain funding for K-12 and higher education at or above funding levels in 2006.  This is commonly referred to as a “maintenance of effort” requirement.  Nevada has been allocated $396 million from the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund.  Of that amount, $324 million must be distributed to K-12 and higher education. 

While K-12 education in Nevada meets the ARRA’s maintenance of effort requirement, proposed funding for higher education does not.  Because of the severe revenue shortfall facing state government in Nevada, the Governor has asked for a waiver for higher education to trigger access to the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund, which will allow the Governor and Legislature greater flexibility in restoring budget reductions to both K-12 and higher education, and to other aspects of the state budget as well.

Without a waiver, Nevada would be required to appropriate several hundred million dollars to higher education in order to access the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund. Such a requirement consequently would prohibit Nevada from using significant stimulus dollars to restore other budget items, such as healthcare funding.  “When other governors and I met with President Obama, we asked that states not be tied up with strings and chains making it difficult for hard-hit states like Nevada to qualify for help,” Gibbons said, “The ARRA ended up including several preconditions to obtain funding, but we remain hopeful that in the spirit of fairness Nevada will be granted a waiver so I and the Legislature can appropriate stimulus dollars with greater flexibility.

Governor Gibbons also noted Nevada’s dire financial crisis and requested that the Secretary of Education act as expeditiously as possible so that funds allocated to Nevada can be accessed immediately to protect and preserve all levels of education in Nevada.

(Editor’s Note:  Letter to the Secretary of Education.)

Governor to Accept All Unemployment Stimulus Funds

Governor Jim Gibbons today announced he will accept all unemployment funds available to Nevada in the Stimulus Package. The total amount available to Nevada in unemployment insurance stimulus dollars is over $291 million. Governor Gibbons has already accepted a large segment of Stimulus Package funds to provide extended benefits to unemployed men and women in Nevada. The Governor was reluctant to accept $77-million dollars that would require an expansion of coverage to people not previously eligible for unemployment benefits. The Governor was concerned that Nevada businesses would be left to cover the cost of expanded coverage when stimulus dollars run out. However, the federal government has recently assured states that the expanded coverage base can be retracted in the future, before funding for such coverage becomes a permanent state obligation.

“As our economic crisis deepens, Nevadans are suffering because of layoffs, business closings and other cutbacks,” Gibbons said, “We have the responsibility to do everything we can to help our unemployed workers get through these difficult times, even if that means passing legislation that we would not necessarily approve during prosperous times.” Gibbons noted, “I’m willing to approve this expanded coverage with the understanding that the issue will be revisited in a future legislative session before federal dollars expire. Our citizens deserve all the help we can find while they try to cope with unexpected misfortunes.”

Governor Gibbons will work with legislators to develop a plan that will provide financial relief to those in need now, without penalizing businesses in the future.