Clean Energy Jobs
The Need: Nevada has been a leader in the promotion of renewable energy, and the continued development offers the benefits of new jobs and a cleaner environment. Changes to the state regulatory framework and incentive programs are key to maximizing energy installation and building a strong industry that will keep us as a leader in clean energy.
2011 Legislative Session Recap: The environmental community has been a strong advocate for creating clean energy jobs in Nevada, so it was an easy decision to focus one of our four priorities on updating and streamlining small-scale renewable incentives for homeowners and small businesses. With the support of several small business owners and renewable energy advocates, we proposed to change the incentive model to a performance-based system that pays for the actual output of customer-owned generation to ensure maximum efficiency and public participation.
NCL was involved in many meetings and negotiations with a wide variety of stakeholders, including renewable energy installers, component manufacturers, NV Energy and the Public Utilities Commission. At the end of this process, we were successful in developing AB 416, sponsored by Assemblyman David Bobzien (Reno), which moved the current Renewable Generations program to a performance-based incentive for larger installations.
Unfortunately, amendments were attached to the bill in the closing minutes of the Legislature that included controversial language about the development of transmission lines for large-scale renewable energy. Due to the controversy around this particular piece, the Governor chose to veto AB 416, and therefore, meaningful change to the Renewable Generations program will have to wait until 2013.
