The Status of Proceedings at the Public Service Commission of Nevada Regarding Geothermal Energy Development

Abstract

For several years the Public Service Commission of Nevada (PSCN or Commission) has considered the private development of geothermal power plants as a viable alternative to new central plant capacity developed by Sierra Pacific Power Company (SPP or Sierra). Over this time Sierra has elected to mount and increasingly intensive campaign to turn back development of these facilities. This paper presents a brief history of the recent proceedings to date and recaps the efforts of the Nevada Geothermal Industry Committee (formally associated with Nevada Mining Association) to create a stable geothermal industry in northern Nevada, and in so doing to simultaneously create a structure of any qualifying facility (QF) development as well.