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Sierra Pacific Power Co., Jim Kropid receive DRI President's Medals for dedication to GreenPower program

Walter Higgins	Higgins and Kropid speak at the Mendive Middle School
Jim Kropidunveiling in Sparks, Nev.	Traner Middle School in Reno, Nev. unveils its new GreenPower installation.

Reno, Nev. -- In a packed ballroom at the Reno Hilton Tuesday night, Sierra Pacific Power Co. and Jim Kropid, chair of DRI Research Foundation’s GreenPower Committee were honored with President's Medal's at DRI's 18th annual Nevada Medal Dinner in recognition of their contributions to DRI’s GreenPower program. Sierra Pacific Resources CEO Walt Higgins accepted the medal on behalf of Sierra Pacific Power.  

The President's Medal is given out each year by DRI President Dr. Stephen G. Wells to companies or individuals to acknowledge exceptional service or support of DRI and its mission.  These medals are presented in lieu of the honorary doctorates or similar forms of recognition, traditional among the University and Community College System of Nevada's teaching campuses.

Sierra Pacific Power Co. was chosen for its unwavering commitment as a partner to the GreenPower program.  Since its inception in 2000, the program has brought renewable energy to seven schools in Nevada — four in the north and three in the south.  Kropid was selected for being a champion of the program, spearheading efforts to reach as many students as possible, speaking with community leaders and working tirelessly with DRI to make the installations happen.

The Carson Middle School installation, unveiled Feb. 18, marks the seventh GreenPower installation in the state.  Each middle school receives a solar array and accompanying wind generator installed atop the school.  The GreenPower program is a partnership between the Desert Research Institute, DRI's Research Foundation, Sierra Pacific Power Co. and Nevada Power.  The program is supported by voluntary customer contributions made by customers of Nevada Power and Sierra Pacific Power companies through their monthly utility bills.  All contributions are 100 percent tax deductible.

"Each school saves approximately $500 a year in energy costs, but that's a collateral benefit.  The real value is education — science teachers incorporate renewable energy curriculum into their lesson plans and use the array as a hands-on learning tool, in addition to the 'Fat Spaniel' computer software that works in coordination with the array," Wells said.  "Without the help of Sierra Pacific Power Company's staff making sure the installs take place properly and without Jim Kropid's leadership, the GreenPower program certainly wouldn't see the incredible success it has had in such a short time."

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.  More than 500 full- and part-time scientists, technicians and support staff conduct some 150 research projects at DRI annually.  The State of Nevada provides part of DRI’s capital and operating budgets supporting construction of new facilities, administration, and operations and maintenance.  While DRI's portion of the UCCSN operating budget is less than 1 percent, DRI leverages these funds to enhance its competitiveness. In the last fiscal year, DRI generated $45 million in total revenue consisting predominantly of competitively won research contracts and grants.