Boulder City is a prime location for solar development for many reasons: the amount of days of sunlight, transmission lines and proximity to substations. Another significant factor is that the land is owned by the City, not the Federal government, so the land isn’t subject to expensive and beauracratic environmental review.

Recently, the Bureau of Land Management has asserted that it has property rights in the Eldorado Valley which could trigger environmental review of the City’s leased sites. Such an assertion has the potential to derail existing solar generation leases because of the costs and delays of the environmental review process. After unsuccessfully trying to negotiate with the BLM, the City hired legal counsel and has requested a patent correction to clarify this issue. This has been a lengthy and costly endeavor, and the outcome of the City’s request is still unknown. Boulder City and the State of Nevada stand to lose a lot if these solar contracts fade away. Over the next 40 years, it is anticipated that these solar leases will contribute over $500,000,000 to the City. Thousands of construction jobs for the trades will also be generated - right now when Nevada really needs it. Best of all, solar development will help not only diversify the City’s revenues, it will help diversify the State’s business base.

There is much riding on the success of our Solar Energy park. State officials are looking at the success we have had and are beginning to ask questions. We are currently releasing another Request for Proposal (RFP) for a renewable energy project that will be located to the southwest of our waste water treatment facility. We are anticipating that this project will utilize our treated water. This RFP is not limited to Solar projects, but it is open to all renewable energy projects. Boulder City does play an important role in Nevada. We are developing our land in a responsible way. We can be proud that our City is a leader in renewable energy.

For more information on these rebates visit http://www.bcnv.org/conservation/rebates.asp

Visit Roger at http://www.bcnv.org/CityCouncil/Tobler.asp.