Nevada Wilderness Project

Nevada has vast solar and geothermal energy potential. Its close proximity to California power markets also makes it a likely candidate to help California utilities meet their renewable energy mandates. Because most of Nevada is federally-owned land, much of its renewable development and related transmission needs will take place on federal lands. This grant would continue support for work to balance rapid construction of renewable energy facilities with habitat conservation protections of public land. The Project would focus on three key strategies: educating federal agency staff, collaborating with renewable energy developers, and coordinating advocacy with regional and national environmental groups.

Nevada has vast geothermal and solar resources and was one of the first western states to mandate renewable energy standards. Nevada's close proximity to California power markets also makes it a likely candidate to help California utilities meet their renewable mandates. Because Nevada has more federally-owned land than any other state except Alaska, much of its renewable development and related transmission needs will take place on federal lands, making project development more complex. This grant would provide a second year of support for the Nevada Wilderness Project's work to balance rapid construction of renewable energy with habitat conservation protections. The Project will focus on three key sectors: educating federal agency staff, collaborating with renewable energy developers, and coordinating advocacy with regional and national environmental groups.