Portland, Maine (Platts)--10May2007

Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons established Wednesday through executive order
a renewable energy transmission access advisory committee in an effort to
encourage renewable energy development in the state.

     "Much of Nevada's renewable energy resources are located away from the
grid," the Republican governor said. "In order for companies to locate in
Nevada and develop our renewable energy resources, we need to ensure they have
access to the transmission infrastructure that will allow them to bring their
energy to the marketplace," he added.

     The committee will report to the governor by December 31 steps that can
be taken to ensure that renewable energy projects have transmission access to
markets. The committee's 14 members include representation from the key
industries and interest groups that will work together to further that
development. Daniel Schochet, vice president for Reno, Nevada-based geothermal
firm Ormat Technologies, was named the committee's chairman.

     Nevada has among the best solar and geothermal resources in the US as
well as one of most aggressive renewable portfolio standards in the country.
Nevada's RPS climbs to 20% by 2015. Under the RPS, solar energy must account
for 5% of all the renewable power and utilities can meet 25% of the mandate
with energy efficiency programs.