NCET

NV Energy has agreed to buy energy from Massachusetts-based American Capital Energy’s 20-megawatt solar photovoltaic power plant to be built near Searchlight.

The plant is expected to be completed by mid-2010 and, if built to its proposed 20-megawatt size, would exceed the country’s largest solar facility at Nellis Air Force Base that produces 14 megawatts of energy.

Construction of the plant would create 120 jobs.

Terms of the agreement, subject to Public Utilities Commission’s approval, were not disclosed.

All of the energy produced will go to NV Energy’s customers in Southern Nevada, the companies said. By 2025 NV Energy’s energy portfolio is required to include 25 percent in renewable resources and energy efficiency and conservation programs.

Technorati Tags: NV Energy, Nicole Lucht, In Business Las Vegas, American Capital Energy, Searchlight, Nellis Air Force Base, NCET, Nevada’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology

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Nevada lawmakers voted Thursday to endorse a new state renewable energy agency after asking numerous questions about the agency’s staffing and initial $250,000-a-year funding.

The lawmakers’ Interim Finance Committee supported the new Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Authority, along with a $117,030-a-year salary for a commissioner and a $56,265-a-year salary for an executive assistant. The initial source of funds for the authority will come from a small tax collected by the state Public Utilities Commission.

The commissioner’s job is to suggest ways to cut energy use and to attract wind, solar and geothermal projects to Nevada by offering tax breaks, technological data and financing options to renewable energy companies. Read full story:

Technorati Tags: BRENDAN RILEY, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Authority, Public Utilities Commission, Hatice Gecol, Joe Hardy, Pete Goicoechea, Andrew Clinger, Barbara Buckley, Debbie Smith, NCET, Nevada’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology

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Hosted By Bently Biofuels
Thursday, June 25 from 5:00-7:00 PM
Barone and Reed Food Co. 1599 Esmeralda Avenue, Minden, NV
Cost: FREE

A fun, informal social gathering for businesses to celebrate sustainable practices in Douglas County.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND: Business owners and individuals who are interested in reducing their environmental footprint.

BENEFIT: Networking with other environmentally conscious people in your community; Discuss how we can work together to create more business opportunities for green businesses.

RSVP: Donna@SiGBA.org

PHONE: (530)274-1919

Technorati Tags: Bently Biofuels, Douglas County, SiGBA, NCET, Nevada’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology

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For graduating students at Stanford University, it’s all too clear that the economy’s in the tank. The venture capital industry, with its epicenter just down the road, is stalled. The unemployment rate in Santa Clara County has doubled in the past year, to 10.9%, as employers across techdom eliminate jobs and scale back expansion plans.

Career fairs, students say, feature lots of recruiters handing out business cards, but few jobs. A host of seniors who in past years would have waltzed into six-figure jobs at tech companies, banks, and consulting firms must now explore other options. For those eager to cash in that Stanford diploma for a big payday, prospects are grim.

But if the goal is less making money than doing good, opportunity abounds. Ask Josh Nesbit. The lean 22-year-old graduating senior spent spring break in Uganda and Mozambique, where his startup, Frontline SMS:Medic, is putting in place communications systems aimed at promoting health in rural areas. Read full story:

Technorati Tags: BusinessWeek, Stephen Baker, Stanford University, venture capital, Josh Nesbit, Frontline SMS:Medic,Kiva.org, microbusinesses, Ashoka, social entrepreneurship, Bob Goodson, YouNoodle, Skoll Foundation, eBay, Jeffrey Skoll, entrepreneurs, NCET, Nevada’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology

The Nevada Commission on Economic Development will provide two half-day workshops in Fernley on July 13 to assist in community development and growth of individual businesses.

A morning workshop will provide information on grants and other state programs available for economic and tourism development.

The afternoon session will cover government contracting, export opportunities, marketing assistance and state incentives for business growth.

The workshops are free for Fernley Chamber of Commerce members and $10 for non-members. For registration, call the chamber at 775-575-4459.

Technorati Tags: Northern Nevada Business Weekly, The Nevada Commission on Economic Development, Fernley Chamber of Commerce, NCET, Nevada’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology

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