THE NEVADA RPS
In 2002, REPP and the Nevada AFL-CIO joined forces to provide
two testimonials to the Nevada State Legislature in support
of the proposed Nevada RPS Bill. The two testimonials are
available below to download.
A Renewable Energy Portfolio would in addition to water conservation,
energy generation diversification, and economic diversification
also create a potential 27,229 full-time equivalents over
10 years according to the comments filed by the Nevada AFL-CIO
and REPP January 18, 2002 to the Nevada Public Service Commission.
The 27,229 FTE's
is the peak potential if all manufacturing facilities were
created instate. Based on the high potential and based on
the state's $16,104 it pays for unemployment benefits, the
state could avoid $438 million in payments for the ten year
period. If only installation, operation and maintenance were
instate then Nevada could still save $130 million over ten
years.
New generation
has a cost to consumers, and renewables would cost $0.01 per
kWh under a 5 percent RPS, but only $0.003 per kWh at a 15
percent RPS. However, if installation, operation and maintenance
jobs were created instate the unemployment savings would be
$0.00407 per kWh.
Another key benefit
to the RPS is water conservation. Whether electricity is generated
from coal, natural gas, or nuclear - all are forms of thermo-electric
generation which nationally require 28 gallons of water per
kWh. According to the USGS, however, Nevada used 0.6 gallons
per kWh or 34.8 million gallons per day to produce 19 billion
kWh. Renewable generation with the exception of biomass co-firing
uses no water.
Nevada is currently
negotiating contracts for $150 to $200 per acre-foot [326,000
gallons]. If the 0.6 gallons use per kWh is correct, then
the RPS additionally saves the State $0.0003 per kWh. With
the 15 percent RPS this is a water cost savings of $1.5 million
in 2013, or based on the national average a savings of $73
million.
After reviewing
all the energy cost benefits, the comments also promote the
RPS for lowering pollution, increasing energy security, and
adding capital improvement.
First
Nevada Testimonial [Adobe Acrobat File]
Second
Nevada Testimonial [Adobe Acrobat File]
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