FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 9, 2011
Contact: Scot Rutledge, (702) 561-9093

Clean Energy Project in Nevada Moves Forward Despite Heller’s Opposition

NEVADA – On Thursday, the Department of Energy Loan Program Office committed to a partial loan guarantee for Ormat Nevada, Inc.’s new geothermal project across Northern Nevada.   This project will create more than 300 jobs in Nevada and produce enough electricity to power 88,000 homes.  While in the House of Representatives, Dean Heller voted to cut the renewable energy loan guarantee program which supports private sector investments in clean energy. [House Vote #147, 2/19/11].   However, Senator Heller continues to support the $4 billion taxpayer funded subsidies for oil companies.  [House Vote #153, 3/1/11; House Vote #277, 4/15/11; Senate Vote #72, 5/17/11].

Executive Director of the Nevada Conservation League Scot Rutledge released the following statement questioning Senator Heller’s opposition to loan guarantees for renewable energy projects in Nevada in contrast to his continued support for handouts to oil company:

“The Nevada Conservation league supports the loan guarantee program and its continued investment in clean energy in Nevada.  Including Ormat’s new geothermal project, the loan guarantee program for Nevada projects creates almost 2,000 jobs and 1.8 million megawatt hours of energy while preventing 1 million tons of annual carbon dioxide pollution. Why does Senator Heller oppose clean energy loan guarantees when he supports taxpayer funded subsidies for oil companies?”

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