Reid: Moapa energy decision a setback for Nevadans

CARSON CITY — U.S. Sen. Harry Reid said Wednesday that a decision by the Nevada Public Utilities Commission to reject a 200-megawatt solar project on the Moapa River Paiute Indian Reservation is a setback for all Nevadans.

In a statement, Reid, D-Nev., said the project, part of an overall plan submitted by Nevada Power to end the utility’s reliance on coal-generated electricity for its customers, was an opportunity for the tribe to build and generate clean energy on its land and to improve the quality of life of its members.

“This solar project would have provided hundreds of good paying jobs for Nevadans as well as economic and health benefits for the Moapa Band of Paiutes, who have been subjected to nearly five decades of pollution from the Reid Gardner plant,” Reid said. “With Nevada’s economy on the upswing, more power from clean energy sources is needed to feed the grid and fuel job creation. What more fitting than a solar plant on the Moapa Band of Paiute’s reservation?

“I hope that a decision can be reached quickly that will provide fairness for the Moapa Band of Paiutes and continue Nevada’s work to become the nation’s epicenter for clean energy,” he said.

The commission rejected the element of Nevada Power’s proposal on Monday. Two of three commissioners argued that the utility should instead seek competitive bids to build the 54 megawatts of generation needed as part of the plan to end reliance on coal by 2019, including the closing of the Reid Gardner coal-fired plant near the Moapa reservation by 2017.

Commissioner David Noble said the $438 million facility was not needed.

“Paying for generating capacity that is not needed places unnecessary costs on ratepayers,” he said in his comments on the project.

Las Vegas area union officials and tribal members asked the PUC to support the project.

Nevada Power, part of NV Energy, said in a statement issued Monday that it is evaluating how to move forward following the PUC decision.

Contact Capital Bureau reporter Sean Whaley at swhaley@reviewjournal.com or 775-687-3900. Find him on Twitter: @seanw801.