Reid announces $50 million solar project

The Department of the Interior has approved a 110-megawatt solar project in Nye County that Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., said will create more than 500 jobs.

The announcement comes on the heels of Reid's announcement that the federal government has agreed to put $50 million into creation of a Solar Demonstration Zone at the Nevada National Security Site - formerly the Nevada Test Site.

The Crescent Dunes Solar Project, he said, will produce enough electricity to power 75,000 homes and further reduce the state's dependence on foreign oil in addition to putting Nevadans to work.

"The only way our state's economy will recover is if we ensure that Nevada takes advantage of its abundant natural resources like solar, wind and geothermal energy to create good paying jobs," he said.

He said 450-500 workers will be hired during construction and the plant, once finished, will require a permanent staff of about 50.

The test site funding, Reid said, will have a long-term benefit to the state because the Solar Demonstration Zone will become a center to test innovative solar technologies. He said it will bring "some of the world's leading solar companies to Nevada."

In addition, as the premier site for testing, he said the zone will help gather data for potential investors in large-scale solar projects.

In addition to the former test site, Reid said seven other areas of Nevada have been identified for inclusion in the study of how to accelerate commercial solar development. They are Amargosa Valley, Delamar Valley Dry Lake, Dry Lake North Valley, East Mormon Mountain, Gold Point and Miller's.