Reid presses fight against coal plants

CARSON CITY -- U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, stepping up efforts to block new coal-fired power plants in Nevada, is introducing a bill requiring most power transmitted over a proposed cross-state line to come from alternative energy sources.

Reid's measure, which was to be introduced Thursday in the U.S. Senate, would require Nevada-based Sierra Pacific Resources to ensure that 75 percent of the power transmitted over its planned high-voltage line comes from solar, wind, geothermal or other alternative energy sources.

Sierra Pacific CEO Michael Yackira issued a statement, defending the company's commitment to renewable energy. Yackira argued that the utility company also needs transmission lines for power from conventional generation plants as well as renewable power.

"New transmission lines must also be capable of accommodating other sources of energy to assure reliabilty of service for our customers," Yackira said.

"As we have said many times, a balanced energy portfolio -- which other Western states now enjoy -- is the only realistic answer to meeting Nevada's energy needs for the foreseeable future," he said.

Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., issued a statement, saying clean coal power plants would make it feasible to build a transmission line that could carry some renewable energy as well as conventional power.

He said he opposed any bill "that hinders the responsible development of domestic energy and has the potential to skyrocket Nevadans' utility bills."

If Sierra, parent of Reno-based Sierra Pacific Power Co. and Las Vegas-based Nevada Power, didn't build the line, the bill by Reid, D-Nev., gives bonding authority to the Western Area Power Administration so it can do the job.

Sierra has estimated cost of the big power transmission line at nearly $600 million. WAPA would have bonding authority of up to $10 billion, under Reid's measure.

In Washington, Reid said Thursday the bill will show that it is not necessary to build coal-fired power plants in Nevada or elsewhere in order to finance electricity transmission lines.

"I am willing to help with power lines but I think we should have geothermal and solar and wind," Reid said, adding he believes his bill will be considered by Congress next year.

Reid said arguments that the only affordable way to build power lines for alternative energy in Nevada is to build coal plants first is a "phony, phony assertion."

Stephens Media Washington Bureau Chief Steve Tetreault and Review-Journal writer John G. Edwards contributed to this report.