Backing renewable energy projects

Charlotte Overby, Reno

Wednesday, March 9, 2011 | 2:04 a.m.

The Las Vegas Sun’s Monday editorial, “Undercutting the future — Republican plan to end federal program would hurt Nevada and the nation,” about House Republicans voting to ax a federal loan guarantee program that would help bring jobs and renewable energy to Nevada, was right on the mark.

Nevada has more public land and more solar and geothermal energy resources than any other state in the West. Congress — and, specifically, our Nevada Republican delegation — has an opportunity to provide leadership and leverage funding to help this growing industry.

Many large-scale energy projects such as Crescent Dunes near Tonopah enjoy broad support, and much of that comes from the habitat conservation community. The Nevada Wilderness Project has long championed a “smart from the start” approach to developing solar and geothermal on Nevada’s public lands, and we are cooperating with many developers to achieve this.

“Smart from the start” renewable energy projects are sited on land that has been developed or disturbed, on land with low value for wildlife, and are constructed with minimal effects on cultural or archaeological resources.

Planning for a “smart from the start” renewable project is transparent, with early and close cooperation between developers, permitting agencies, local governments and conservation groups.

It is also an opportunity to pursue additional conservation or habitat gains through legislative or administrative actions that improve a designation or the management of nearby wild lands.

We want our entire Nevada delegation to lead on this issue and support renewable energy development, create jobs for rural Nevadans and improve our country’s energy independence.

The writer is acting director of the nonprofit Nevada Wilderness Project, a public lands advocacy group.