Contacts: Heather Emmons, DRI PIO
heather.emmons@dri.edu Reno (775) 673-7488
Roger Jacobson, DRI research professor
Roger.Jacobson@dri.edu Reno (775) 673-7364
Dave McNeil, Nevada State Office of Energy contact Reno (775) 687-5975
Cynthia Mitchell, E3: Energy/Environment/Economy contact Reno (775) 324-5300
All DRI News Releases available at: http://news.dri.edu/
May 20, 2004
New Desert Research Institute report unveils ways for Nevada to embrace voluntary Green Pricing Program for renewable power
The Desert Research Institute commissioned a renewable power study with financial support from the Nevada State Office of Energy that offers consumers and power companies three renewable energy, or green pricing, options.
The DRI report suggests that one of the best ways to access Nevada’s untapped customer demand for renewable energy is to implement voluntary green power electric tariffs that allow customers to choose a blend of renewable energy in their electricity consumption. Possible parameters and options for a voluntary tariff-based Green Pricing Program for Nevada include:
“I am pleased our office could provide grant support to DRI to develop this report,” said Richard Burdette, energy advisor to Governor Guinn and director of the Nevada State Office of Energy. “The hope is that this report will help to spur the development of renewable energy in the state of Nevada.”
The DRI report names numerous positive aspects to the program, citing that voluntary green power markets provide an opportunity for utilities to build a renewable generating capacity, diversify their generation resource mix, improve air quality, develop institutional expertise in the growing field of renewable energy, improve environmental performance, build customer loyalty, increase economic development in rural Nevada and hedge against volatile fossil fuel prices.
“The good thing is consumers have an option to select their type of power,” said Roger Jacobson, DRI’s vice president for academic affairs and research professor. “For instance, customers can opt for part of their power to come from green power and the rest from current power sources. It extends the options customers have.”
Customer interest in green power markets is quickly building nationwide. More than 350 electric utilities in 33 states are engaged in some form of green power market. These programs allow customers to purchase all or a portion of their power supply as renewable energy or contribute to funds for the utility to invest in renewable energy development.
The DRI report was funded by a grant through the Nevada State Office of Energy, an office within the Office of the Governor. The report was prepared by Cynthia Mitchell of E3: Energy/Environment/Economy of Reno Nev., for the Desert Research Institute.
To view a copy of the report, visit
GPP Report Part1
GPP Report Part2
A nonprofit, statewide division of the University and Community College System of Nevada, DRI pursues a full-time program of basic and applied environmental research on a local, national, and international scale. Nearly 500 full- and part-time scientists, technicians, and support staff conduct some 150 research projects at DRI annually. More than 85 percent of DRI's annual $37 million operating budget consists of research grants and contracts obtained by its scientists. The balance is received from the state of Nevada for administrative costs.