With tourism declining in Nevada, it’s time to look to diversify our economy. The best way to diversify Nevada’s economy is to tap our sustainable energy resources. Experts claim Nevada is poised to be the next mecca in green energy production. With the state averaging more than 150 days a year of clear skies for solar energy and the abundance of geothermal hot spots, sustainable energy can drive Nevada’s economy for the next century.
In just the past few years Nevada has already seen a boom in green energy development. Nevada currently leads the nation in solar watts per capita and solar as a percentage of retail sales. Wind, geothermal and solar projects are being developed across the entire state.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has taken action to help Nevada’s wind farms. They have fast tracked several projects including Duke Energy’s 200 MW (mega-Watt) project and Spring Valley Wind’s 150 MW project. There are currently eight Nevada projects in the works that have the potential to produce more than 1062 MW per year.
Geothermal is expected to explode in the next 10 years from its current 333 megawatts of electricity to more than 3,600 megawatts. This will make the silver state the number one geothermal producing state in the country.
One of the largest solar farms in the U.S. is located just outside southern Nevada’s Boulder City. Named Solar One, this plant generates 64 megawatts of power. That is enough to power more than 14,000 homes every year. The BLM is working with other solar producing companies that will increase Nevada’s solar energy output to more than 1071 MW.
The result in all this growth is green jobs, billions of investment dollars and most important, state tax revenue. According to the U.S. Secretary of Energy, Nevada is set to receive one-third of the green energy grants coming from the Economic Recovery package.
With all these great accomplishments Nevada can do more. With a vibrant green energy industry, Nevada’s economy will be much more stable and resistant to recessions than our current gaming and tourism based economy. In turn, residents of the Silver state will find it easier to weather downturns in the economy.
