$13.9 million in energy funds could mean jobs for Nevada

Officials say a new federal spending program could create nearly 400 energy-sector jobs in the Silver State, but it’s too early to tell how much of that spending will happen in Southern Nevada.

The U.S. Department of Energy has approved $13.9 million in federal stimulus funds for energy projects in Nevada, Gov. Jim Gibbons announced Tuesday. It is the first installment in $34.7 million authorized for Nevada’s State Energy Program under the federal stimulus package.

Gibbons said the funding will help Nevada invest in its future.

"Virtually every segment of Nevada’s population will benefit by putting people back to work and funding both short-term and long-term investments in Nevada’s energy future, especially renewable energy and energy efficiency … conservation projects and programs," Gibbons said in a statement.

Hatice Gecol, director of Gibbons’ state Office of Energy, said guidelines show that the funds should create one job for every $92,000 in spending, for 377 jobs.

Gecol said it’s difficult to determine the amount of funds and the number of jobs headed for Southern Nevada, because the state must still issue requests for proposals to find projects to finance.

Of the $34.7 million, $7.9 million will go to retrofit state buildings with efficient lights, new windows and renewable-energy systems to reduce power costs and minimize environmental impact. An additional $8.5 million is designated to increase energy efficiency and reduce power use inside public schools.

The installation of energy-efficient traffic signals will claim $1.7 million, while $9.3 million will fund revolving loans for renewable energy and energy-efficiency projects for businesses, communities and utilities.

Funds will also go to a fueling infrastructure for flex-fuel cars, the adoption of new building codes and the financing of feasibility and environmental-impact studies to "help get stalled projects off the ground," according to a plan from the state’s Office of Energy.

"This is a great opportunity for us to start several projects, and also to create jobs and meet federal and state mandates for energy efficiency and renewable energy," Gecol said. "We can’t do all the projects we have planned, but this money will at least let us start some pilot projects."

The money could also help NV Energy meet renewable-energy mandates, which require that the utility obtain 25 percent of its power from alternative sources by 2025.

Greg Kern, the power company’s director of customer renewable generation and energy efficiency, said the federal funds will combine with the utility’s programs to provide a second source of money for consumers looking to install more-efficient systems.

For example, NV Energy’s SolarGenerations program offers rebates of up to $10,500 for residential users and $63,000 for business users who install photovoltaic solar systems on their buildings.

Throw in some stimulus money, and projects put off for lack of money could finally happen, or projects under way could get bigger, Kern said. Because NV Energy can count conservation toward its renewable-energy mandate, the utility’s effort to go green gets a boost whenever a user consumes less energy through efficiency measures.

The first 10 percent of the total funding sought was allocated for staffing and program planning, the governor said, adding that the remaining funds will be released in two phases once required reporting and oversight measures are implemented.

A bill sought by Gibbons and approved by the 2009 Legislature encourages renewable energy development, reduces greenhouse gas emissions and requires state buildings to adopt energy and water efficiency standards.

The measure, Senate Bill 395, makes it easier for renewable-energy companies to come to Nevada by allowing more utility companies to sidestep part of a lengthy permitting process.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.