Governor, lawmakers reach accord on green energy package

Lawmakers and the governor's office have reached agreement on a package of three bills dealing with energy and renewable resources.

According to the governor's office, they are SB152, the green jobs bill, SB395 which includes energy savings requirements for state agencies and AB522 which establishes the fund for renewable energy and creates abatements for renewable energy projects.

AB522, the final piece of the puzzle, was amended and passed by the Senate Thursday.

The changes ensure that local governments have a say in whether to grant tax abatements to geothermal projects.

AB522 was amended a week ago to mandate the 55 percent abatements not only for solar and wind generating projects but geothermal projects too. Local officials said that would practically eliminate the financial benefit to counties and cities where those projects would be located since the abatements would last for 20 years.

Sen. Randolph Townsend, R-Reno, said the amendment, "gives the county the option to review the project and analyze in fact the potential abatement impact on local government and school districts."

Assemblywoman Marilyn Kirkpatrick, D-Las Vegas, said it gives counties the ability to negotiate any potential abatement with the utility companies.

SB152 by Senate Majority Leader Steven Horsford, D-Las Vegas, uses stimulus funding to create training programs for people to work in the renewable energy field.

SB395 revises the process for issuing permits to build utility generating facilities as well as setting out energy standards for equipment, lighting and other devices by the state. It also requires the public works board to adopt standards for efficient use of water and energy.

Contact reporter Geoff Dornan at gdornan@nevadaappeal.com or 687-8750.