GOE Supports Energy Improvements at Nevada State Parks

Energy improvements at three Nevada State Park locations will enhance visitor experience thanks to the Nevada Governor's Office of Energy (GOE).

The Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources received $32,600 from GOE’s State Energy Program (SEP) Formula Grant. This annual source of federal funds from the U.S. Department of Energy is used to improve the reliability of energy supplies available to Nevadans, consistent with the need to protect the State’s environment.

“Supporting energy improvements at Nevada State Parks fits perfectly with GOE's mission to promote reliable and sustainable clean energy systems,” said Paul Thomsen, GOE Director. “Working with the Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, we selected three rural sites that were important to Nevada’s rich culture and unique history.”

Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park, a 1,540-acre park located in northwestern Nye County, was awarded $22,000 to install a six kilowatt (kW) solar lighting system in the Fossil House. This provides better illumination of the park’s star attraction, the largest Ichthyosaur fossil ever found.

Elgin School House State Historic Site, a one-room schoolhouse in Lincoln County that housed students from 1922 through 1967, received $3,600 to install batteries capable of storing energy from the school’s four kW solar system. This energy will be used at night for lighting and security of the school house. 

Beaver Dam State Park, a 2,400-acre mountain park on the Nevada-Utah border, was allotted $7,000 to install batteries capable of storing energy generated by an eight kW solar system. This will ensure a more reliable energy source for campgrounds and other facilities. 

“Nevada State Parks is pleased to partner with the Governor’s Office of Energy for solar improvements that have a direct benefit to park visitors,” said Leo Drozdoff, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Director. “Increasing the level of visitor services at off-the-grid locations certainly helps to guarantee a great recreation experience in remote areas of Nevada.”

The energy improvements at Elgin School House were completed in October 2014. The Berlin-Ichthyosaur light installation was completed in February 2015, and Beaver Dam State Park’s improvements will occur in Spring 2015.

The decision to support energy improvements at Nevada’s state parks highlights GOE’s ability to cooperate with local and state agency partners, promote reliable and sustainable clean energy systems in Nevada, and maintain the affordability of energy supplies available to Nevada’s residents consistent with the need to protect the state’s environment.

To learn more about GOE’s funding of Nevada State Parks, please visit the SEP Formula Grant homepage.

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 energy.nv.gov.

About the Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

The Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources conserves, protects, manages, and enhances the state’s natural resources in order to provide the highest quality of life for Nevada’s citizens and visitors. For more information, please visit www.dcnr.nv.gov. To learn more about Nevada State Parks, please visit: www.parks.nv.gov.