July '10 Nevada Government—U.S. Senator Harry Reid Column

Reid Announces More Than $2 Million For UNLV Transit Center

Center will be a hub for urban circulator bus

July 8, 2010 – Las Vegas, NV – Nevada Senator Harry Reid today announced a grant from the Department of Transportation to fund a transit center located on the campus of UNLV, which will be the hub of an urban circulator bus route. More than $2.million from the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada will be used to complete the current transit service and fund future improvements including an on-campus shuttle and a parking structure to provide more accessibility for UNLV students and staff. This competitive grant program, funded by the Recovery Act, is designed at creating more livable communities that are more navigable via public transportation. This route is part of a progressive plan to improve transportation around the Las Vegas Valley.

“I am pleased that the Department of Transportation has chosen UNLV and Las Vegas for this critical bus funding,” said Reid. “UNLV is a hub of activity and as a commuter school a place that many students travel to daily. By completing the urban circulator bus route, we can reduce congestion and air pollution while providing transportation alternatives for those who study and work at the university.”

Reid Announces Solar Energy Demonstration Zones For Nevada Test Site

Reid welcomes Secretaries Chu and Salazar to Nevada

July 8, 2010 – Las Vegas, NV – Nevada Senator Harry Reid, joined by Energy Secretary Steven Chu and Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar, announced the creation of a Solar Demonstration Zone located at the Nevada Test Site as well as other lands administered by the federal government. The zone will be more than 25 square miles of the Nevada Test Site, an area larger than Manhattan. The two secretaries signed a Memorandum of Understanding to coordinate on land issues for the new zone which will be used to demonstrate and test new solar technologies.

“I am very pleased, but not surprised, that Nevada has been chosen as the site for this cutting-edge project,” said Reid. “Nevada stands to be the leader in solar power production and technology development, especially with this kind of positive support from our federal partners. I am working on additional policies in the Senate to enhance Nevada's economy and create jobs through the production and export of clean renewable energy. The Nevada Test Site can and should be a proving ground for new ideas and for attracting clean energy industries that will help our state and country compete globally.”

“The Nevada Test Site is about to play a new role in securing America’s future – but instead of testing nuclear weapons, we will test new solar technologies that will help put America on a sustainable energy path,” said Secretary Chu. “Working closely with the Department of Interior, and with the critical leadership of Senator Reid, we will demonstrate technologies that will lower the cost of solar energy, accelerate the pace of innovation, and help build a clean energy economy.”

“President Obama is committed to developing our nation’s new energy frontier, including the promising area of advanced solar energy,” Secretary Salazar said. “Our Bureau of Land Management (BLM), which oversees 23 million acres of Southwestern lands with solar potential, plays an important role in supporting the President’s renewable energy goals. These projects on BLM land in Nevada can significantly reduce the costs and environmental impacts of utility-scale solar power facilities and demonstrate the commercial viability of these facilities. Thanks to Senator Reid’s leadership, Nevada is ready to jump-start these projects, put people to work, and create more clean power.”

The Department of Energy selected the Nevada Test Site out of 267 possible locations for its ideal terrain, excellent solar conditions and Nevada’s commitment to renewable energy. The U.S. Air Force, already host to the nation’s largest solar array at Nellis Air Force Base, will help to troubleshoot the new project. The site will serve as a model as other solar projects are proposed near military installations throughout the desert Southwest. The Test Site was selected with the cooperation of all federal, state, tribal and local stakeholders, including utilities.

A version of the complete Memorandum of Understanding is available at www.solar.energy.gov/pdfs/solar_demonstration_mou.pdf.

For more information on the Solar Energy Technologies Program and solar funding opportunities, please visit www.eere.energy.gov/solar.

More information on the BLM’s renewable energy program is available at http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/prog/energy/renewable_energy.html

Reid, VA Secretary Shinseki Tour Las Vegas VA Hospital

July 6, 2010 – Las Vegas, NV – Nevada Senator Harry Reid and Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki today toured the VA Hospital in Las Vegas, which is under construction and expected to open in 2012. Reid secured $600 million for the project that will serve Nevada’s veterans and veterans will be given preference for all jobs at the hospital. Consistent with Nevada’s developing clean energy economy, the hospital will incorporate solar power that will be generated on site. Reid and Secretary Shinseki toured the construction site and discussed the employment opportunities for America’s veterans as a result of the hospital.

“I thank Secretary Shinseki for being here today and for the work we have done together to improve quality of life and health care for Nevada’s veterans,” said Reid. “This facility hospital will keep as many as 63,000 Nevada veterans from having to go to California for their care. As a state-of-the art care facility it will be the leading VA location for veterans care across the Southwest. I remain committed to providing quality care for vets in Las Vegas and across the state of Nevada.”

“I want to thank Senator Reid for his leadership in congress on behalf of veterans. He has played a vital role in securing the funding needed to increase access to VA health care for more veterans not only in Nevada but also across the country,” said Secretary Shinseki.”During Senator Reid's time as majority leader, VA has received the largest budget increases in its history, which has allowed the department to increase access to VA health care for more veterans, expand education benefits under the Post- 9/11 GI Bill, and address the claims backlog.”

Reid Statement On Funds To Train Health Professionals

July 2, 2010 – Washington, D.C. – Nevada Senator Harry Reid today made the following statement on the news that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded $444,351 to Nevada to train health professionals.

“I thank Secretary Sebelius for awarding these funds to Nevada’s higher education institutions to help disadvantaged students get an education,” Reid said. “With more people about to get health insurance, now is the time to focus our resources on training nurses and other health care professionals so we can better meet Nevada’s needs.”

According to the announcement by HHS, “the grants will go to schools to give scholarships to students from disadvantaged backgrounds with financial need, many of whom are underrepresented minorities. Funds will also provide low-interest loans to nurse faculty students – students who want to teach nursing – as incentive for nurses to select careers as nurse educators.”

The allocation of funds is as follows:

From the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA)

$239,019 - University of Southern Nevada - Henderson, NV Pharmacy

$20,409 - University of Southern Nevada - Henderson, NV Nursing - Baccalaureate

From FY 2010 Appropriations

$156,000 - Board of Regents, Nevada System of Higher Education, on behalf of University of Nevada, Las Vegas - Las Vegas, NV

$28,923 - Touro University - Henderson, NV

Reid: Federal Help Coming For Cathedral Fire

July 2, 2010 – Washington, D.C. – Nevada Senator Harry Reid announced today that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), a division of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, has approved Nevada’s request for fire management assistance. Through the Fire Management Assistance Grant Program, Nevada will receive help in covering costs that range from equipment and supplies to labor costs.

“The assistance of FEMA will greatly help the state cover the expenses involved with containing, controlling, and stopping the wildfire that has forced many Nevadans to evacuate their homes,” Reid said. “I applaud the firefighters and all emergency workers who are battling the blaze and have worked overnight to put out the fire.”

The Cathedral Wildfire qualified for federal assistance because FEMA deemed that the fire threatened such destruction as would constitute a major disaster.