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Sierra Pacific Power files new plan for meeting future energy needs

CARSON CITY — Sierra Pacific Power has filed what it describes as an updated blueprint for meeting long-term energy needs of its electricity and natural gas customers in northern Nevada.

The plan filed with the state Public Utilities Commission by the Reno-based utility, a subsidiary of Sierra Pacific Resources, updates a plan filed three years ago.

The utility wants to continue a long-term strategy of expanding generating capacity and become less dependent on electricity purchased from outside suppliers.

Sierra’s new 541-megawatt, gas-fired power plant, currently under construction east of Reno at Tracy, is expected to be on line by June of 2008. The utility company also will seek additional approvals in 2008 for its Ely Energy Center, which got initial approvals last year.

The utility also will seek regulatory approval for investments over the next three years in SolarGenerations, an incentive program for electricity customers who install photovoltaic panels.

Also in the plan are proposals to spend $176 million on various projects to expand capacity of the company’s electric transmission system; replacing emergency generators at Kings Beach at Lake Tahoe, which serve customers in both Nevada and California; and spending $29.8 million on existing and new energy conservation programs.

Sierra Pacific Power also will seek PUC approval for several renewable power purchase agreements involving geothermal power projects in northern Nevada; and plans energy conservation initiatives such as incentives for improved energy efficiency in new manufactured homes.

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