Acceleration of Nevada's Renewable Energy Economy

REA250 continues to work with a wide range of partners in Nevada to support the development of the new renewable energy-based economy in our state. As a “Think Tank with Action”, REA250 has now received approval for a federal budget appropriation by Sen. Harry Reid.

Integrated Business Networks:

The focus of this work has been to link existing resources throughout the state, creating a powerful network that business can easily tap into and state representatives can utilize as a recruiting tool. Over the last 2 years, we have developed active partnerships with organizations that specialize in renewable energy support. As a result, REA250 is gaining a national reputation as an important “biz hub” and “one-stop-shop” for Northern Nevada business development. These partnerships are now expanding statewide, linking resources between Northern, Southern, and rural Nevada.

Workforce Training:

The focus of this work has been to create a nimble, flexible, and integrated approach to workforce training in Nevada that is directly tied to new job creation. During our first year, REA250 consultants and staff worked with Universities, community colleges, apprenticeship programs, and K-12 schools to explore needs for workforce training in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable businesses. With this information, we began to understand critical barriers to nimble, flexible, and integrated workforce development. Out of this, we have now created a new approach to workforce training that links the most up-to-date technology with workforce training programs throughout the state of Nevada. Interest in our on-line eResource Centers is exploding with work under a Department of Labor grant. As a result, we are developing funding for further expansion of the eResource Centers with Nevada State Office of Energy and the Department of Education Training and Rehabilitation. Furthermore, we are currently working with a number of clean tech and renewable energy companies to link their proprietary training with existing workforce training programs. Finally, our eResource Center model was nominated for a prestigious technology award at Santa Clara University in California.

 New Economic Drivers in Nevada:

In 2009, REA250 began by proposing the initiation of an Alternative Fuels Testing Corridor (AFTC) between the Bay Area of California and Reno, Nv. In a short period of time, we made great headway linking California research and testing groups with the business climate in Nevada. Unfortunately, this approach to economic development was not a priority for Nevada’s ARRA funding. We then took this same approach to other difficult economic issues and have developed a number of innovative pilot projects that support sustainable economic development in Nevada. A result of these pilot projects has been to deepen our understanding of the infrastructure needed to drive the economy in Nevada. Most interestingly, the original work that we proposed for the testing corridor is gaining interest as our partners reach out to others who are looking for organizations with this level of rigor in their approach.

 Coordinated Resource and Asset Activation:

Most of us know that outreach is critical in building a new renewable energy-based economy in Nevada. Many organizations have begun the difficult task of reaching out to community, business, and other groups to help build understanding and engagement of what a renewable energy economy offers us all. At REA250, we have committed ourselves to establishing pathways for connection and integration of these outreach efforts with a depth of knowledge about HOW renewable energy generation, energy efficiency, and sustainable practices work for Nevada. This depth of knowledge and relationship development – both public and private - allows us to connect people and resources in ways that accelerate and enhance possibilities for successful projects. Because of this approach, we have attracted the attention of a number of international vendors and lead system integrators who would like to contribute to the building of a new economy in Nevada.

Finally, at REA250, we are committed to the promotion of triple bottom line economic indicators (economics, community, and environment). As a result, we are committed to open and transparent communication of project goals, deliverables, and costs. At REA250, we are using the Nevada State Office of Energy’s Milestone Minder as the platform for our communication about our publicly funding projects.