New members to study energy-transmission issues

Appointees to the New Energy Industry Task Force are: Ellen Allman of renewables developer Terra-Gen; Matt Frazer of construction trade group Associated General Contractors; Tom Husted from Valley Electric Association, a Pahrump-based power co-op; Jack McGinley from NV Energy; Tom Morley from Laborers Local 872; Carla Pihowich from solar manufacturer Amonix; Ian Rogoff from the Nevada Institute for Renewable Energy Commercialization; Paul Thomsen from geothermal developer Ormat; John Tull from conservation group the Nevada Wilderness Project; Lawrence Willick from transmission-line developer LS Power; and Jim Woodruff from photovoltaics manufacturer First Solar.

The task force is designed by state law to promote development of renewable energy and energy-efficiency projects in Nevada. An executive order signed last week by Gov. Brian Sandoval charged the panel specifically with evaluating how to encourage timely development of transmission lines to distribute renewable-energy resources in the state.

The task force will have its first meeting before year’s end, and is scheduled to submit a report to Sandoval by Aug. 1 that makes policy recommendations and “demonstrates the business case for production and transmission of renewable energy,” Crowley said in a statement.

An advisory committee to assist the task force will include energy attorney Kathleen Drakulich of the law firm of McDonald Carano Wilson in Reno; Jason Geddes from the Nevada System of Higher Education; Assemblywoman Marilyn Kirkpatrick, D-North Las Vegas; state Sen. James Settelmeyer, R-Minden; and Rebecca Wagner of the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada.

Contact reporter Jennifer Robison at
jrobison@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-4512.