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

The Reid Report—July 15, 2010

Dear Fellow Nevadan,

Today the Senate took the final step needed to hold Wall Street accountable and passed the Restoring American Financial Stability Act of 2010. This historic legislation, which is now on its way to the President for his signature, protects consumers and taxpayers from Wall Street’s greedy and reckless behavior that caused our country’s current economic crisis and cost Nevadans their jobs, their homes and their retirement savings. The bill improves accountability, resiliency and transparency in our financial system to ensure that it never happens again. Additionally, the legislation ensures that no bank grows too big to fail and protects Nevada taxpayers from ever again having to bail them out. Please click here to see my remarks upon passage of the Wall Street Reform conference report.

This week, the Senate continues to work on a small business jobs bill that will promote job creation through a combination of tax credits, enhancements to Small Business Administration lending programs, improved access to capital, and the development of new community bank lending facilities. Ultimately, $176.5 million will be spent in order to ease the burden on small businesses and make it easier for Nevadans and the rest of the country to keep their businesses healthy.

I understand that the issue on many peoples’ minds at this time is the need to extend unemployment benefits for millions of out-of-work Americans. I hear from Nevadans every day who rely on this assistance to put food on the table and pay the bills while they look for work. It is beyond comprehension that some of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle continue to stand almost lockstep against assistance for out-of-work Americans—especially since many of them spent months protecting Wall Street and preserving tax cuts for CEOs who ship American jobs overseas. I want to assure Nevadans that I am doing all I can to pass legislation to rectify this situation. The Senate will vote on extending unemployment insurance again next week, and this time I believe it will pass. To hear my remarks on the urgent need to extend unemployment insurance, please click here.

I am working every day to help Nevadans get the most out of their American dreams—whether that means buying a house or starting a business. I’m also fighting to make sure that we extend help to those in need when they need it most. Thank you for reading this update. Please visit my website, reid.senate.gov, for more information.

Sincerely,

HARRY REID
U.S. Senator for Nevada

Reid Congratulates Bryce Harper On Winning Golden Spikes Award

July 13, 2010 – Washington, D.C. – Nevada Senator Harry Reid today issued the following statement congratulating Henderson’s Bryce Harper on winning the Golden Spikes Award, which is given to the nation’s top amateur baseball player:

“Nevada native Bryce Harper showcased his top-notch abilities all season long at the College of Southern Nevada, and he more than earned the top award that a college baseball player can receive. I’m confident he will find success as he climbs the professional ranks to join last year’s Golden Spikes winner, Stephen Strasburg, in Washington in the near future.”

Reid Meets With Nevada Students From The “Do The Write Thing” Challenge

July 13, 2010 – Washington, DC –Nevada Senator Harry Reid today met with two Nevada students participating in the “Do the Write Thing Challenge.” The initiative is part of an effort by the National Campaign to Stop Violence that helps reduce youth violence in schools and communities by giving middle school students the tools to combat the cycles of violence they see in their schools, neighborhoods and homes. The students, TyJuan Bell and Michelle Azzata, both of Las Vegas, were accompanied by Rose McKinney-James, Chairwoman of the Nevada “Do the Write Thing” program.

“I enjoyed meeting with these outstanding students who are leading the way in their schools,” said Reid. “The initiative is an incredible testament to the vital role peer-to- peer education plays in ending violence and developing safe communities and learning environments.”

Nevada Senator Harry Reid meets with Nevada students participating in the “Do the Write Thing” program at their schools.

Reid Statement On Las Vegas Chamber Of Commerce Supporting Small Business Jobs Bill

July 13, 2010 – Washington, D.C. – Nevada Senator Harry Reid today issued the following statement after the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce endorsed the Small Business Jobs Bill that Reid is leading to help Nevadans find employment:

“I thank the Chamber for its support of The Small Business Jobs Bill Act that will help put Nevadans back to work. Creating an environment that allows small businesses to grow and hire more employees is my number-one priority. This legislation is fully paid-for and will help small business owners grow their firms by cutting taxes and providing greater access to capital. The measure also will help entrepreneurs expand their markets here and overseas as well as better pursue federal contracts through the procurement process. If my Republican colleagues are truly interested in putting Nevadans and other unemployed Americans back to work as soon as possible, then they too will support the Small Business Jobs Bill that Nevada and our country need right now.”

Reid Announces Expansion Of Lithium Mining In Silver Peak

Project receiving Recovery Act funding for advanced batteries

July 12, 2010 – Washington, D.C. – Nevada Senator Harry Reid joined Rockwood Holdings in announcing the expansion of its lithium production operation in Silver Peak. The expansion is being partially financed by $28.4 million in Recovery Act funding administered in a grant from the Department of Energy (DOE) for the development of advanced batteries.

The Chemetall Foote operation, which is the only operating domestic lithium operation in the United States, is the main economic driver in Silver Peak.

“This is great news for the people of Silver Peak and Esmeralda County,” said Reid. “The expansion of this project further demonstrates Nevada’s commitment to renewable energy production and alternative power through advanced batteries. This development is especially important for rural communities where mining is a major employer. Chemetall’s model of using renewable energy to power the operation is an excellent example for other mining operations in the Silver State.”

"At Christmas last year the people of the town of Silver Peak had experienced only bad news. Long time friends and co-workers were forced to leave due to layoffs; the economy was horrible. They felt hopeless and doomed to extinction,” said Esmeralda County Commissioner Nancy Boland.

“In my letter to constituents in Silver Peak I spoke to them about how important and abundant the natural resources here are for renewable energy. Shortly thereafter the town was alive with geothermal exploration drill rigs and Chemetall Foote slowly started to rehire and hire for new jobs. The expansion of the lithium operation will restore jobs and health to our community. I thank Senator Reid who heard of our distress and proactively supported our county to accomplish this expansion, which is important not only to Esmeralda County, but also to our nation as a whole."

“The recovery grant money and the support we received from Senator Reid have allowed us to increase the work we are doing in Silver Peak,” said Joe Dunn, Operations Manager for Chemetall Foote’s lithium mine in Nevada. “Using Nevada’s solar and geothermal resources to nearly completely power our operation, we are able to reduce energy costs and make the operation more efficient. Nevada is a rich source of this mineral and a welcoming state to the mining industry, so much of that has been the advocacy of Senator Reid.”

In the next few months, as the operation expands, Chemetall Foote will begin a well drilling program to double the capacity of its lithium carbonate production. The DOE grant will be used to install a geothermal power plant, in addition to existing use of the sun for solar evaporation, to make the operation self-sufficient for its electric power.

This means more jobs in renewable energy. As of last month, 20 new jobs have been created either at Chemetall Foote or contractors directly working on projects for the site. During the peak of construction in 2011 and 2012, the project will employ 50 additional people. At the conclusion of the project in 2013 the site will employ fifty people, doubling the number of employees from 2009.

Reid Announces $6.3 Million For McCarran Airport Rehabilitation

Project on Concourse C will create construction jobs

July 9, 2010 – Las Vegas, NV – Nevada Senator Harry Reid today announced a $6.3 million grant from the Department of Transportation to fund surface rehabilitation for McCarran International Airport. The C Concourse apron, an area where planes load and unload, is home to Southwest Airlines, McCarran’s busiest airline. The project will replace old asphalt with longer-lasting concrete material. There will be several phases of the project lasting nearly 2 years. At the peak of construction the project will employ the equivalent of 60 full-time workers.

“McCarran Airport is a critical hub for travel in and out of Las Vegas,” said Reid. “This project puts people to work over the next two years and creates a new, stronger surface at McCarran’s busiest concourse, allowing the airport to better serve Las Vegas’ recovering tourism industry.”

Reid Hails 800 Mining Jobs With Expansion At Round Mountain Mine

BLM approves plans to expand Gold Hill mining operation

July 9, 2010 – Las Vegas, NV – Nevada Senator Harry Reid this week applauded the decision of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to approve a planned expansion of the Kinross Gold mining operation at Round Mountain in Nye County. This expansion makes sure that 750 high-paying mining jobs will stay in Nevada. The project will also lead to more than 50 new jobs for contractors this year, some of whom are already working on the expansion. The Round Mountain expansion will increase the existing mine’s boundary by 3,122 acres to a total of 10,385 acres and add an additional 4,928 acres to accommodate the new facilities. Kinross’ operation at Round Mountain is the largest private employer and private tax payer in Nye County.

“This is a great thing for Nevada and for Nye County,” said Reid. “The BLM has chosen to protect mining jobs and ensure at least a decade of economic security for this area. Over the years, Kinross has contributed much to the local communities and it will now continue to employ hardworking Nevadans in one of the state’s most robust industries.”

“This is great news for the 750 employees at our Round Mountain operation,” said Tye W. Burt, President and Chief Executive Officer, Kinross Gold Corporation. “This remarkable mine has been providing jobs and economic benefits to the people of Nye County since 1977, and we can now look forward to more years of responsible operation. It took a lot of work and consultation with many stakeholders to get here, and we are especially appreciative of the support of Senator Reid throughout the process.”

“It’s a relief to know that our community is not going to be torn apart by the loss of jobs,” said Nye County Commissioner Lorinda Wichman. “This action will help keep our community whole. Round Mountain Gold has been a fantastic neighbor for almost 30 years. I appreciate Senator Reid’s help in pushing this through and BLM Director Bob Abbey, as well as the local BLM office in Nye County who were very responsive and helpful.”