Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2011 | 1:43 p.m.
The Energy Department is loaning $343 million in federal stimulus dollars for an electricity transmission line that proponents hope will support renewable energy projects in rural parts of Nevada.
Energy Secretary Steven Chu said Tuesday the loan guarantee will help link existing transmission lines in northern and southern Nevada.
Construction of the 500-kilovolt connection known as the ON Line project began in October and is expected to be completed in 2013.
The line is jointly owned by Great Basin Transmission South LLC and Nevada's main electricity utility, NV Energy.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has championed the project, saying it'll boost Nevada's green energy sector and create thousands of jobs.
Reid told reporters Tuesday the project will attract clean energy technologies to Nevada and help the state's bruised economy.
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