July 27, 2009

Washington, D.C. – Continuing his effort to make Nevada the leader in the clean energy revolution, Nevada Senator Harry Reid today announced nearly $14 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has been awarded to Nevada for a series of clean energy initiatives.  These initiatives will include a revolving loan fund that will create a sustainable program to provide loans that will help Nevada promote energy independence while protecting the environment.

“These economic recovery funds will help accomplish some of Nevada’s short- and long-term renewable energy and economic recovery goals,” Reid said.  “By investing in renewable energy and energy efficiency projects we will create good paying jobs for Nevadans, promote energy independence and reduce energy costs.”

This award will also provide funding for:

• Energy efficiency retrofits in state buildings and K-12 schools.  Funding from this award will go toward LED lighting, lighting control, window performance technologies and renewable energy technologies to reduce energy costs and consumption;
• The creation of an energy efficient traffic signal and street light program.  This will form a partnership between the Nevada State Energy Office, Department of Transportation, Regional Transportation Commissions, and the Department of Public Safety to install energy efficient LED traffic signals and street lights throughout Nevada, reducing energy consumption and improving safety;
• The adoption and implementation of the 2009 Residential and Commercial Building Codes.
  

If implemented successfully, the state will receive more than $17 million in additional funding bringing program funding to a total of nearly $35 million.