Nevada

How the West is Winning Against Coal

There is so much good news coming out of the western U.S. these days on coal and clean energy. First up – another domino fell for the Blackstone Group. Blackstone had been funding the construction of three new coal-fired power plants in the U.S. (I’ve written about them before). Last month the River Hill plant […]

How a small Nevada town lures major solar investment

In 1995, Boulder City, Nevada, paid $1.3 million for a land buffer to make sure that Las Vegas didn't get any closer. It has since used that buffer to become a world leader in solar energy, and is making $2 million (and counting) in annual revenue from solar leases. How did the city pull this off? What is the key to their solar success? Read this excellent article in the Las Vegas Sun to find out.

The city, 40 miles southeast of Las Vegas, averages 350 sunny days per year, allowing a local tavern to offer free beer on the days when the sun doesn't shine.

That's got to have at least something to do with it.

Obama budget proposal would cut off funding for Yucca Mountain nuclear waste dump

Here's one bit of news I missed in all the hubbub about Obama's proposed budget: apparently it kills Yucca Mountain dead, once and for all.

Here's what Harry Reid says on the Senate website:

Dear Fellow Nevadan-

Today was an extremely important day in our fight against the proposed nuclear waste dump at Yucca Mountain. In his budget request for 2010, President Obama will announce plans to devise a new strategy to find another solution to deal with the nation's nuclear waste that does not include storing it in Nevada.

As Nevadans know, I have been successfully fighting the proposed Yucca Mountain nuclear waste dump since I began my career in the Senate. I have had tremendous help from our state's leaders and thousands of Nevadans along the way. President Obama joined the fight against the nuclear waste dump in his Presidential campaign, and I am proud that now he will deliver on his promise.

President Obama has made a critical first step towards fulfilling his promise to end the Yucca Mountain project, and I could not be happier for the people of Nevada. Make no mistake: this represents a significant and lasting victory in our battle to protect Nevada from becoming the country's toxic wasteland. I have worked for over two decades with help from our state's leaders and thousands of Nevadans to stop Yucca Mountain. President Obama recognizes that the proposed dump threatens the health and safety of Nevadans and millions of Americans, and his commitment to stop this terrible project could not be more clear.

Two more coal plants won't be built, another will switch to biomass

• NV Energy, Inc. announced that it is postponing plans to build a "clean coal" plant in eastern Nevada, citing "environmental and economic uncertainties." This bit is worth noting:

The company will not move forward with construction of the coal plant until the technologies that will capture and store greenhouse gasses are commercially feasible, which is not likely before the end of the next decade.

Meanwhile, they're still building the high-voltage transmission lines that were part of the original plan -- they're just going to use them to carry renewable energy.

• In Ohio, American Electric Power has put plans for an IGCC coal plant on hold, citing the lack of sufficient subsidies "state of the economy." Oh yeah, and the assessment that construction costs will top $2 billion.

Plans for the project have been placed on hold repeatedly, due to cost recovery issues, construction costs and regulatory issues. However, Celona said, AEP has not changed its plans, and still hopes to build here.

I'll hold my breath.

• The University of Wisconsin's Charter Street heating plant, long a target for enviros, has announced that it will no longer be burning coal. It's switching to biomass, mainly wood and agricultural products.

"[It's] taking … heating from the 19th century into the 21st century," [UW Associate Vice Chancellor Alan] Fish said. "It's a more than $200 million investment by the state, and will eliminate the burning of over 100 tons of coal and have the potential to burn 250,000 tons of biomass."

Yes, all the usual criticisms of biomass apply, but at least it's creating electricity and not fueling cars. It's a step.

I could do a post like this every few weeks. Coal is on the ropes in the U.S. Next up: shutting down existing plants!

Nevadans miffed by McCain’s glib comment about nuclear safety

The Las Vegas Sun editorial board isn’t too pleased by John McCain’s “safe, environmental, blah blah blah” comment: Republican presidential candidate John McCain has said he would support the use of Yucca Mountain, 90 miles northwest of Las Vegas, as the dump site for the nation’s high-level nuclear waste. That is one of many reasons […]

Vegas may serve as hopeful proving ground

    This is a guest post by my travel partner, Todd Dwyer, head blogger for Dell’s ReGeneration.org. —– When you think of Las Vegas, a lot of things may come to mind, but sustainability probably isn’t one of them. The city is the fastest growing in the United States, and has built its reputation […]

Spotlight on North America’s largest solar power plant at Nellis AFB

    This is a guest post from my travel partner, Todd Dwyer, head blogger for Dell’s ReGeneration.org, where the piece originally appeared. —– The ReGeneration Road Trip rolled into Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas to see North America’s largest solar photovoltaic power plant. Covering 140 acres and providing some 14 megawatts of […]

Hitting the Vegas strip to see the world’s largest LEED certified building

  What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas … except when it comes to spreading the news about exciting green ventures. To do that, Todd and I hit The Strip (official work business, I swear!) to visit the world’s largest LEED certified building: the brand-new Palazzo Resort-Hotel.     Situated next to the Venetian, amongst […]

Reid pulls together Dem bigwigs (and T. Boone) to hash over energy policy

I’m here at UNLV for the National Clean Energy Summit being thrown by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and the Center for American Progress. I guess they’re playing off Las Vegas’s international reputation for bringing water and air conditioning to the desert clean energy. Bill Clinton is speaking in a few minutes. And hey, is […]