NV Energy has filed with the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada (PUCN) its Integrated Resource Plan for the company’s southern territory. In the filing, the company seeks approval of a number of key initiatives to be implemented over the next three years in the areas of renewable energy, transmission, and energy efficiency and conservation.

“This resource plan primarily focuses on two key components of our company’s three-part strategy – expanding the use of renewable resources and increasing our energy efficiency and conservation programs,” said Michael Yackira, president and CEO of NV Energy. “Our priority in this filing is to provide our customers with access to the abundant natural resources available throughout Nevada and to further programs that will help reduce energy usage and its impact on utility bills and the environment.”

The company is seeking approval of initiatives that include:

• Construction of the One Nevada Line (ON Line) 500 kV transmission line with an in-service date of 2012
• New energy efficiency and conservation programs and the expansion of existing programs
• Renewable Energy – two purchased power agreements for two solar projects, continued development of China Mountain wind and Amargosa solar projects, and construction of three utility-scale solar photovoltaic facilities.

Yackira added that ON Line will provide greater system reliability by linking the northern and southern systems for the first time, as well as expand renewable development in Nevada for the benefit of Nevadans. “This will provide greater access to wind and geothermal resources for our southern customers and better access to solar generation for our northern customers,” he said. “ON Line significantly increases our ability to obtain energy independence for Nevada by enabling us to share these resources, as well as use more cost effectively our generation fleet to serve customers statewide, which maximizes efficiency and improves reliability.”

NV Energy has filed an Integrated Resource Plan for each utility every three years since the Nevada Legislature in 1983 granted the PUCN authority over the utility's long-term planning process. The plan is based on customer load projections, and includes programs to reduce energy consumption, and develop sites for new generation and transmission in order to meet the projected demand. The plan also contains strategies for the procurement of fuel and purchased power.