Report: Reliable NV Power Grid Needs North/South Extension Cord
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February 14, 2008
Las Vegas, NV – Nevada needs a power transmission line connecting North and South, not only for reliability, but to facilitate the growing move toward renewable energy. That's the conclusion of a new report from the state's former energy advisor, Dr. Carl Linvill.
Sierra Pacific has proposed a North-South line to connect the power-hungry Las Vegas area with a coal-fired power plant scheduled to be built in Ely. While that plant has faced delays in the federal permitting process, Linvill's findings show that Nevada should proceed anyway, with the so-called "inter-tie" powerline.
"There's been discussion of additional delays, or even cancellation. What I would not want to see happen is to have the transmission line derailed because the coal plant is facing some difficulties."
Linvill believes a primary reason the transmission "inter-tie" is needed to connect North and South is Sierra Pacific's heavy dependence on energy sources in the Southwest.
"The Southwestern region is an area that has the least amount of reserves available to meet growing demand. I'm arguing that ensuring reliability in this case is greatly facilitated by having an inter-tie, because it provides access to three additional regions."
Sierra Pacific agrees the inter-tie is needed, but argues coal must be in the mix because of Nevada's heavy reliance on natural gas. Linvill, on the other hand, would rather see the state avoid the risk of large-scale, centralized energy generation, and instead explore renewable energy and improved energy efficiencies. He believes the inter-tie also could allow Las Vegas to tap into geothermal power from northern Nevada.
"Southern Nevada can meet part of its needs with solar energy with absolutely no problem, but it probably would be of benefit to them, from a cost standpoint, to also be getting renewable energy from other sources, and most of that renewable energy is located in Northern Nevada."
Linvill's full report is available online, at www.ef.org.