NCET

Northern Nevada’s burgeoning geothermal sector acquired another key player Friday, when Gradient Resources held a coming-out party at its new corporate headquarters in Reno.

The company — known formerly as Vulcan Energy — officially moved its headquarters from Bend, Ore., to Reno this month. Prior to its move, the company operated an office in Reno for the last two years.

Gradient Resources’ arrival continues to raise Northern Nevada’s profile as a hot prospect for geothermal development. It also provides a much needed shot in the arm for an area desperate to diversify its economy as it hemorrhages jobs in its construction and tourism industries.

Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., who was on hand for the celebration and name change, welcomed the company. Read more:

Technorati Tags: Josh Nordquist,Reno Gazette-Journal,Jason Hidalgo,Gradient Resources,Vulcan Energy,Harry Reid,Craig Mataczynski,Ormat,Magma Energy,Sierra Geothermal Power,Ram Power Corp.,Nevada,business,NCET,Nevada’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology

If Nevada were a country, it would be the 9th largest producer of geothermal power in the world today, now, according to new facts from the Geothermal Energy Association (GEA) compiled in anticipation of their upcoming GEA Geothermal Energy and Utilities, Co-ops and Public Power Workshop in Las Vegas, the growth of the geothermal industry in Nevada could be worth up to US $22.5 billion over the next 30 years.

Nevada could become the leading geothermal energy producer in the coming years if growth and production trends continue on their current trajectories. Nevada’s 86 planned or developing geothermal power plants have the potential add up to 3.68 gigawatts of geothermal power to Nevada’s energy portfolio.

Fourteen geothermal power plants are in latter stages of development in the state. These projects would create an estimated 1,400 construction jobs in Nevada once groundbreaking has occurred. Read full story:

Technorati Tags: Geothermal Energy Association,Karl Gawell,Department of Energy,American Recovery and Reinvestment Act,Nevada,business,NCET,Nevada’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology

Governor Jim Gibbons announced a special "tax amnesty" program for individuals or businesses who may be behind or non-compliant with current Nevada taxes. "This is an opportunity for anyone to get caught up with their state taxes and face no penalties or interest," Governor Gibbons said, "Under this special program, as long as all the rules are followed, taxes owed to the state can be paid without penalty or interest."

The program was authorized by Assembly Bill 6 of the 26th Special Session of the Nevada Legislature and signed into law by Governor Gibbons. The Department of Taxation will administer the tax amnesty program, which runs from July 1, 2010 to September 30, 2010. The program grants a one-time waiver of penalty and interest for certain taxes due prior to July 1, 2010 – provided the outstanding tax liability is paid in full during the amnesty period.

The tax types included in the amnesty program are as follows: Sales & Use Tax, Modified Business Tax, outstanding Business License fees payable to the Department due on or before September 30, 2009, Cigarette Tax, Other Tobacco Products Tax, Liquor Tax, Bank Branch Excise Tax, Insurance Premium Tax, Tire Tax, Live Entertainment Tax (non-gaming), Short-term Lessor (Passenger Car), and Exhibition Facilities Fees, Property Tax that are Centrally Assessed, and Net Proceeds of Mineral Tax.

For an amnesty application and more information, please visit the Department of Taxation’s website at http://tax.state.nv.us/, contact the Call Center at (866) 962-3707, or visit a district office in Carson City, Reno, Las Vegas or Henderson.

Technorati Tags: Governor Jim Gibbons,tax amnesty,Nevada Department of Taxation,Nevada,business,NCET,Nevada’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology

The federal Bureau of Land Management has approved a company’s “fast-track” plan to build a 30 megawatt geothermal power plant in Nevada’s Pershing County.

The BLM says Ormat Technologies’ Jersey Valley Project will cover a little more than 13 square miles at a site about 120 miles northeast of Reno.

The BLM granted first-phase approval June 4 for a 15 megawatt plant. A second plant may be built next year.

Jersey Valley is BLM’s second geothermal fast-track project in Nevada.

The 49.5 megawatt Blue Mountain plant began operating in October 2009 in Humboldt County.

Nevada has 11 geothermal plants, including three on BLM-managed public lands. Officials say they produce more than 325 megawatts of electricity, or enough to power more than 200,000 homes.

Technorati Tags: Reno Gazette-Journal,Bureau of Land Management,Ormat Technology,Jersey Valley Project,Nevada’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology,NCET,Nevada,business

Two companies, one expanding and one newly arrived, have created 55 jobs in the Reno-Sparks area over the last month, the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada said Wednesday.

Sierra Nevada Corp., a defense and government contractor based in Sparks, is expanding and adding 40 skilled positions in accounting, engineering, information services, production and other areas.

That will bring Sierra Nevada Corp.’s total workforce to more than 400, with an economic impact this year from the expansion and new hires estimated at $14 million in spending and tax revenue. Read more:

Technorati Tags: Bill O’Driscoll,Reno Gazette-Journal,Sierra Nevada Corp.,EDAWN,Julie Ardito,business,NCET,Nevada’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology