Carson City, NV -
July 23, 2014The Governor’s Office of Energy (GOE) recently awarded a total of $1,244,000 in loans to the city of Las Vegas to help fund three solar parking shade structures that will create jobs, reduce carbon emissions, and produce 1.2 million kilowatt hours annually.
The 14-year loan at 3-percent interest was awarded to the city as part of the GOE revolving loan program, which provides loans for projects that develop Nevada renewable energy systems, energy conservation, and manufacturing of components for renewable energy systems.
“These solar projects fit perfectly into the core GOE mission to ensure the wise development of our state’s energy resources and local economic needs,” said Paul Thomsen, GOE Director. “This project not only put Nevadans to work but allowed the city of Las Vegas to expand its impressive solar generating capabilities.”
The three city of Las Vegas locations receiving the new solar arrays are:
• East Yard, a 50-acre site that hosts public employees who perform major vehicle repair, small equipment repair, garbage transfer, and other services for the city of Las Vegas.
• West Yard, a 30-acre site that includes crews from Fleet Services, Parks Maintenance, Traffic Sign Maintenance, Emergency Management, and the Records Storage Facility.
• Durango Hills Community Center, a city of Las Vegas built and owned facility, run by the YMCA, which includes a fitness center, yoga studio, aerobic studio, swimming pool, and indoor basketball court.
The solar parking shade structures will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 23.8 million pounds of CO2 during the first 20 years of operation. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, this will reduce the annual CO2 amount produced by 2,273 passenger vehicles or 985 homes. The structures will also provide welcome shade during the day.
“The city of Las Vegas is challenging itself to become the nation’s first net-zero energy, water, and waste municipality,” said Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn G. Goodman. “We’re reducing consumption, adding more solar power generation, becoming more energy efficient, and recycling more. These solar power projects help us move closer to our goal.”
The GOE decision to provide the loan highlights the office’s ability to facilitate cooperation among stakeholders, lead initiatives to stimulate economic development, and attract energy-related business ventures that include site development, generation and production, and inter/intrastate transmission.
To learn more about GOE’s Revolving Loans program, please visit www.energy.nv.gov/Programs/Revolving_Loans_for_Renewable_Energy/.
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About the Governor’s Office of Energy
The Governor’s Office of Energy oversees energy programs required through statute and those that help to meet the mission of the office, which is to ensure the wise development of Nevada’s energy resources in harmony with local community economic needs and Nevada natural resources. For more information about GOE, please visit www.energy.nv.gov.
About the city of Las Vegas
The city of Las Vegas has become a leader in sustainability, most recently recognized by the U.S. Conference of Mayors with the 2014 Mayors Climate Protection Award. Through the city's efforts, Las Vegas’ energy consumption has been reduced by approximately 1percent, saving more than $1 million annually. For more information on how Las Vegas is going green, please visit www.lasvegasnevada.gov/sustaininglasvegas.