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

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 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

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

Business experts estimate the current recession started toward the end of 2007. Comparatively speaking, that’s when the Titanic started taking on water. By last year, business owners were basically in a survival state — just trying to stay afloat in the life raft and see where it was headed. Well now, people are starting to paddle, swim to shore and get their businesses back on track. I am so energized and inspired by proactive folks like these. They have adjusted to a new way of doing business and continue moving forward, despite the economic challenges that we are all facing. Read more:

Technorati Tags: Northern Nevada Business Weekly,Len Stevens,Sparks Chamber of Commerce,business,NCET,Nevada’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology

LOCATION: Sonny’s Authentic Pizza and Pasta on South Virginia and Longley

TIME: Meetings start with networking/setup at 5PM, presentation at 5:30PM, pizza snack at 6:15PM and discussion/networking thereafter until about 8PM.

For more information visit: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/busp/bprogs.htm

PRESENTORS:

Herb Shedd and Laura Melara
USDA Rural Development
Business and Cooperative Programs Technician

Herb Shedd is currently the Business and Cooperative Programs Director in Nevada for the USDA Rural Development and is based in Carson City.  Economic development programs he is responsible for include the Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvement program, Guaranteed Business and Industry Loan program and the Value Added Producer Grant program.  After graduating at the University of Nevada, Reno, Herb has worked with rural communities throughout Nevada over 20 years with Rural Development.

Technorati Tags: Reno Tahoe Photonics,Herb Shedd,Laura Melara,USDA Rural Development,business,NCET,Nevada’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology

When Nevada business owner Scott Dunseath attends community events to support his apparel shop, Reno eNVy, he photographs, on his iPhone, people wearing his brand, then simultaneously sends it, via one text message, to the company Web site, Facebook (2,241 fans) and Twitter (1,010 followers). He recently spread the word about a store sale via social media, and revenue that day was the highest ever. He advertises on Facebook for $5 a day, which yields him 15,000 to 20,000 impressions daily. Customers frequently send him photos, which end up on the store’s photo-sharing account at Flickr. Dunseath, 42, uses social media marketing to expose Reno eNVy with the hope of becoming Nevada’s signature brand. While daunting at first, social media now for him is easy, fun and beneficial to his business, he said. “Without question, it has gotten people into the store.” Read full story:

Technorati Tags: Nevada Business Journal,Doresa Banning,Scott Dunseath,Reno eNVy,Facebook,Twitter,Flickr,social media marketing,Marilyn Crawford,Windsor PTM,Mark Cenicola,Cenicola-Helvin Enterprises,Inc.,David LaPlante,One to One Interactive,Max Aceituno,MaximoMedia Inc.,Betsy McDonald,The Bauserman Group,Google Analytics,Ping.fm,HootSuite,YouTube,business,NCET,Nevada’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology

Also on the agenda is the official unveiling of the Dry Creek Garden Co. windmill, a 2400 watt skystream wind turbine funded by owner contributions, a REAP grant from USDA Rural Development, and NV Energy’s Renewable Generations rebate program.    USDA Rural Development will also announce  FY 2010 grant and loan funding available through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), designed to assist farmers, ranchers, and rural small businesses in developing renewable energy systems and in making energy-efficiency improvements to their operations.

The learning event will be accompanied by live music from Tim Snider and attendees will receive a free green roof plant from Go Green Roofs.

Friday, April 23, 2010

12 p.m. – 2 p.m.

WHAT: Celebrate Earth Day 2010

A Hands On Renewable Energy Learning Event

WHERE: Dry Creek Garden Company

100 U.S. Highway 395 North – Washoe

WHO: Dry Creek Garden Company; Clean Energy Center; Go Green Roofs; Comstock Seed; NV Energy; ECO Reno; The River School; REA 250; USDA Rural Development.

Technorati Tags: USDA Rural Development,Earth Day,Dry Creek Garden Co.,NV Energy’s Renewable Generations,Tim Snider,Go Green Roofs,Clean Energy Center,Comstock Seed,NV Energy,ECO Reno,The River School,REA 250,business,NCET,Nevada’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology

Thursday, April 29, 2010

6:30 pm
Tour the Tahoe Center for Environmental Sciences – Nevada’s first LEED Platinum-certified building

7:00 pm
Learn about Sierra Nevada College’s Sustainable Campus Initiative

7:10 pm
Conversation with Jim Croce

Green pioneer Ben Solomon will lead a conversation with Jim Croce that explores how clean energy can contribute to the growth and diversification of the economy. The clean energy discussion will explore the interrelation of education, sustainable technology development and deployment, and Nevada’s future prosperity. Jim will also provide insight into NIREC’s role in accelerating the commercialization of clean energy technologies.

Sierra Nevada College
Tahoe Center for Environmental Sciences
Room 139

Incline Village, NV

(turn down Country Club Drive and enter the campus at the main entrance
located across from Mill Creek Road )

map

Free and open to the public.
Refreshments served.

For more information call Nevada Institute for Renewable Energy Commercialization  -  (775) 881-7516  -  www.nirec.org.

Technorati Tags: Nevada Institute for Renewable Energy Commercialization,Jim Croce,NIREC,Tahoe Center for Environmental Sciences,Sierra Nevada College’s Sustainable Campus Initiative,Ben Solomon,business,NCET,Nevada’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology

· Mapping
· Seeding
· Planting trees and shrubs
· Soil erosion control
· Weed eradication
· Irrigation
· Thinning of trees and brush
· Disease and insect control
· Products related to the above activities, such as seed and plant material

Thursday, April 22, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Washoe County Government Center, Building ‘C’ Conference Room, 1001 E. 9^th St., Reno

Cost:  FREE

Register at www.nsbdc.org/education/calendar or call 775-784-1717.

For more information, contact Judith Hepburn, Area Manager, U.S. Small Business Administration, at 775-827-4923 or e-mail judith.hepburn@sba.gov.

Technorati Tags: Washoe County,SBA,NSBDC,Lynda Nelson,Cheryl Surface,business,NCET,Nevada’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology