NV Energy, Inc. and the Western Area Power Administration have signed a Memorandum of Understanding under which the parties intend to explore the potential development of 500-kV transmission lines and associated facilities to access renewable energy resources and deliver those resources to electricity users in Nevada, California, Arizona and other markets in the Southwest U.S.

Western is a power marketing agency of the U. S. Department of Energy. This potential partnership aligns with section 402 of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which granted Western $3.25 billion in borrowing authority for building transmission lines to deliver or facilitate the delivery of power generated by renewable energy resources.

According to Michael Yackira, the company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, NV Energy submitted a proposal in response to a “request for interest” from Western, and this preliminary agreement is another important step in helping to deliver the rich renewable resources of Nevada to where they are most needed.

“NV Energy is already leading Nevada in the development and use of renewable energy, and we are excited about partnering with Western to help our customers, as well as all electricity users served by Western throughout the West,” Yackira said.