The Governor's Energy Office originally requested permission to accept $3.4 million in energy-related stimulus money and to hire a staff of 10 to begin managing the grants and monitoring program.
After review by the budget office and Legislative fiscal staff, the staffing request was cut to just three positions for now.
But Energy Office Director Hatice Gecol had good news for the Interim Finance Committee Monday, announcing that federal officials have certified Nevada to receive an additional $13.8 million.
That brings Nevada's energy funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to just over $17.2 million.
Nevada was authorized to receive the money after presenting plans for seven programs to use the cash. The state seeks $7.9 million to retrofit state buildings with better lighting, windows and other energy-saving systems.
Schools will get $8.5 million to reduce their energy consumption; $1.7 million will go to LED traffic signals and $9.8 million for loans to businesses and utilities for renewable energy and efficiency projects.
Modernizing building codes will get $1.35 million and energy engineering, feasibility and environmental studies will be eligible for $5.67 million.
Finally, there is $170,250 available for alternative fuel infrastructure to make the use of alternative fuel vehicles practical.
Several lawmakers questioned the lack of detail in what those three new employees will do and how much they should be paid. Officials from the Personnel Department cautioned it will take them 45 days to work out details of those positions but said the governor's office can make emergency appointments in the meantime.
Gecol told the committee she hopes to begin hiring in a couple of weeks.
Lawmakers set the cap on two of the three positions at $93,187 a year and the third, an outreach coordinator, at $84,981.
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