Nevada behind going greener
Most Nevadans believe that investing in renewable energy will create good-paying jobs, according to poll results released Monday.
About 87 percent of those polled believe renewable energy -- such as solar, wind and geothermal power -- would create jobs here, according to Nevadans for Clean Energy, which commissioned the poll.
The poll showed that 85 percent of Republicans, 89 percent of Democrats and 94 percent of independent voters said renewable energy investments would create jobs.
In addition, 80 percent of voters would like to see the state use energy efficiency programs and renewable energy to meet its growing energy needs, according to the poll.
While 91 percent of Nevadans consider renewable energy clean, 35 percent see coal as clean, according to the survey.
"Even we were surprised by these numbers," Lydia Ball, the Sierra Club's regional representative, said in a statement. "Nevadans of all stripes want clean energy and they see it as an engine to fire up our economy."
NV Energy, the investor-owned utility company formerly known as Sierra Pacific Resources, supports renewable energy but has argued that the state also must continue using fossil fuels, such as natural gas and coal. The utility company is developing the coal-fired Ely Energy Center in eastern Nevada.
"There's got to be a balance between costs (of generating power) and the environment," NV Energy Senior Vice President Roberto Denis said.
"Even renewable energy will have some visual impact," Denis said. "The question is in the balance. What is best for the state."
Public Opinion Strategies, a large Republican polling firm, conducted the poll of 600 voters on Nov. 12 and Nov. 13 for the clean energy campaign.
The clean energy campaign is a coalition of 30 groups that support energy efficiency and renewable power in Nevada.
Contact reporter John G. Edwards at jedwards@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0420.
