KTVN Channel 2 - Reno Tahoe News Weather, Video - Stimulus Law Could Help Create Nevada Green Jobs
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Business leaders involved in green energy projects met in Reno Thursday to express their happiness with the new stimulus law.
If you're tired of hearing about green energy and not seeing much of it, they're right there with you. "We're trying to push things forward; we're trying to make things actually happen in a very rapid fashion to build a green economy here in Nevada."
Rich Hamilton and his company, Great Basin Wind are the ones behind the planned Virginia City wind farm. The much talked-about project is slated to be finished late next year with up to 71 turbines cranking out 200-megawatts enough to power about 60,000 homes.
His company can afford to invest in the project thanks in part to tax incentives offered by the federal government. The stimulus extends those: "We are providing many tax incentives for the private sector to build renewable energy projects."
Those in Green Energy say the tightening credit markets have spooked investors off of potential projects in Nevada. But the extended tax incentives could make the difference. "At least in my industry that I'm familiar with, that'll go a long way to easing some of those fears and putting some of those projects in the ground and putting some people to work."
Building the wind farm in Virginia City Highlands puts 100-150 people to work right away. Part of the beauty of renewable energy is the low overhead; it will only employ 12-15 people when it's done to keep it running.
But they are new jobs and if Nevada gets enough similar projects, they'll add up. "We're gonna be exporting power. These are gonna be jobs, good stable jobs for the state."
