EXPLANATION – Matter in bolded italics is new; matter between brackets [omitted material] is material to be omitted. Green numbers along left margin indicate location on the printed bill (e.g., 5-15 indicates page 5, line 15).

1-1 Whereas, Energy use is a factor in every segment of the economy of

1-2 the State of Nevada, including the residential, commercial, industrial,

1-3 agricultural and public sectors; and

1-4 Whereas, The state energy conservation plan prepared by the Director

1-5 of the Department of Business and Industry pursuant to NRS 523.141 is a

1-6 small step toward a comprehensive approach, but there is not a set of

1-7 statutes, regulations or programs in existence in this state that clearly

1-8 describe a cohesive and comprehensive state energy policy; and

1-9 Whereas, In 1997, the Legislature did enact legislation which required

1-10 the deregulation of the electric industry and described certain principles to

1-11 guide such deregulation, however, that legislation did not describe how the

1-12 resource planning process governing the regulated electric industry would

1-13 be transformed and effective in the deregulated era; and

1-14 Whereas, This deregulation legislation also did not address such other

1-15 socio-economic issues that historically were or are capable of being

1-16 addressed by the regulated industry, including environmental quality and

1-17 assistance for low-income persons, and elderly and disabled persons with

1-18 fixed incomes; and

1-19 Whereas, The State of Nevada has not developed a comprehensive

1-20 assessment of the current and future cost-effective opportunities available

2-1 for the use and production of energy from renewable resources or the

2-2 implementation of energy efficient devices, mechanisms, measures or

2-3 standards or the additional benefits for Nevadans and the State of Nevada

2-4 that such a use, production or implementation would develop; and

2-5 Whereas, Although some legislation does exist regarding the use and

2-6 production of energy from indigenous sources associated with the electric

2-7 industry, there does not exist for this state a comprehensive set of policies

2-8 or a plan encouraging the implementation of present and future cost-

2-9 effective improvements in the efficient use of energy and the use and

2-10 production of energy from renewable sources; now, therefore, be it

2-11 Resolved by the Assembly of the State of Nevada, the Senate

2-12 Concurring, That the Legislative Commission is hereby directed to

2-13 appoint an interim committee to conduct a study which would serve as a

2-14 basis on which to develop a proposed set of policies and a comprehensive

2-15 plan concerning the public and private use of energy as well as the

2-16 development and use of indigenous energy resources in this state; and be it

2-17 further

2-18 Resolved, That the interim committee is authorized to seek and accept

2-19 gifts and grants to assist in covering the costs of this study; and be it

2-20 further

2-21 Resolved, That the committee shall:

2-22 1. Address, without limitation:

2-23 (a) The use of electricity and combustible fuels used for space heating,

2-24 cooling and other space conditioning as well as for other purposes in the

2-25 residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural and public sectors;

2-26 (b) The production of energy in Nevada, including energy produced

2-27 through renewable resources; and

2-28 (c) The delivery of energy to Nevada, including energy produced

2-29 through renewable resources.

2-30 2. Initially examine, review and evaluate the state energy conservation

2-31 plan prepared pursuant to NRS 523.141, the comprehensive energy

2-32 policies and plans of other states, the previous studies that have been

2-33 performed regarding energy use and production in Nevada and the current

2-34 statutory and regulatory provisions in this state governing energy use and

2-35 production, including those related to the restructuring of the gas and

2-36 electric industries.

2-37 3. Based upon the initial review, establish the scope of the committee’s

2-38 inquiry, level of effort and expected work products which must, at a

2-39 minimum, include:

2-40 (a) Assessments, or a plan to conduct assessments, and the identification

2-41 of funding therefor to identify and evaluate:

3-1 (1) The quality and quantity of solar, wind, biomass, geothermal,

3-2 hydro and other renewable sources of energy identified by the committee

3-3 available in the various regions of this state;

3-4 (2) Present and future cost-effective uses for such energy;

3-5 (3) Present and future opportunities in the various regions of this

3-6 state for the cost-effective and efficient use of energy;

3-7 (4) The benefits, and their related costs, potentially conferred upon

3-8 Nevada and its residents associated with the use and production of sources

3-9 of energy from renewable resources and from the efficient use of energy,

3-10 including benefits to employment, economic growth and development and

3-11 the environment; and

3-12 (5) The market and other barriers to the implementation of any such

3-13 cost-effective or potentially cost-effective uses of renewable sources of

3-14 energy or efficient uses of energy, including those market barriers

3-15 experienced by persons with low incomes, including elderly persons and

3-16 persons with disabilities living on fixed incomes.

3-17 (b) A comprehensive set of policies and a plan with priorities, including

3-18 recommended legislative changes, regarding the commitment of this state:

3-19 (1) To encourage the use and production of energy produced in this

3-20 state from renewable resources; and

3-21 (2) To encourage energy efficient improvements, including load-

3-22 shifting and load-leveling mechanisms.

3-23 4. Based upon the policies and plan, make prioritized

3-24 recommendations concerning the extent to which the State of Nevada

3-25 should:

3-26 (a) Encourage creative partnerships between the public and private

3-27 sectors to promote the development and use of renewable energy resources

3-28 and to promote the efficient use of energy;

3-29 (b) Enact requirements, incentives or programs which are responsive to

3-30 market barriers hindering the implementation of present and future cost-

3-31 effective improvements in energy usage and the present and future use and

3-32 production of energy from renewable sources;

3-33 (c) Develop or enhance programs to assist low-income persons,

3-34 including elderly persons and persons with disabilities living on fixed

3-35 incomes; and

3-36 (d) Develop funding for such requirements, incentives or programs, and

3-37 the source for such funding; and be it further

3-38 Resolved, That the Legislative Commission shall appoint to the

3-39 committee members from the Assembly and members from the Senate, and

3-40 establish an advisory group chosen for their expertise and ability to

3-41 represent businesses knowledgeable about the efficient use of energy,

3-42 businesses knowledgeable about renewable resources, energy users and

3-43 producers from the commercial, industrial and residential sector, bankers,

4-1 architects, land planners, low-income persons, elderly persons and persons

4-2 with disabilities on fixed incomes and utilities. The advisory group must

4-3 also include representatives from the Nevada Energy Office of the

4-4 Department of Business and Industry, the Commission on Economic

4-5 Development, the Bureau of Consumer Protection of the Office of the

4-6 Attorney General, the Housing Division of the Department of Business and

4-7 Industry, the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada and an economist

4-8 familiar with energy issues; and be it further

4-9 Resolved, That any recommended legislation proposed by the

4-10 committee must be approved by a majority of the members of the Senate

4-11 and the members of the Assembly appointed to the committee; and be it

4-12 further

4-13 Resolved, That the committee shall report the findings of the study

4-14 and any recommendations for legislation to the 71st session of the Nevada

4-15 Legislature.