The University of California, represented by Co-Director Daniel M. Kammen of the Berkeley Institute of the Environment and the Nevada Renewable Energy Integration and Development Consortium of the Nevada System of Higher Education, which is represented by President Steve Wells of the Desert Research Institute, have agreed to develop a feasibility study proposal for the new Zero Emission Vehicle Corridor from Berkeley, California to Reno-Sparks, Nevada.
The feasibility study will focus on the development of infrastructure needed to support the testing and development of Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) and associated highway and community networks. Research will also address the needed business, legal, and governmental oversight structures necessary to rapidly convert to zero emission vehicles.
The Corridor utilizes the wide range of environmental conditions on a short stretch (240 miles) of Interstate 80. It is anchored on one end by the innovative technology environment found in the East Bay/Bay Delta areas of California including:
• Ground breaking environmental, energy and vehicle technology research capacity
• A wide range of existing public-private partnerships for ZEV’s
• A growing market for ZEV’s
• At the other end of the corridor, the Reno/Tahoe Region of Nevada is located in a beautiful mountainous/high desert location that has:
• An exceptional business climate located in a major transportation hub for the West Coast
• Exciting educational and tech commercialization opportunities
• Unique geothermal and other renewable energy assets to support the production of ZEV’s.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid offered his support of these developments: “This is a tremendous step forward as we work to make our state the leader in clean energy,” said Reid. “Renewable energy has the potential to power not only all of our homes, but also all of our cars. I am pleased to support this collaboration, which will help protect our air while creating much-needed jobs in Nevada.”
“Advancing green technology and renewable energy must be a top priority, and I’m hopeful that as these types innovations are proven, they will become more and more a part of our everyday lives,” said Senator John Ensign, who led efforts in Congress to ensure passage of a bill to encourage renewable energy development across the country. “Our plan must include a vast array of resources such as solar, wind, geothermal and more to ensure our security and protect our environment.”
The Zero Emission Vehicle Project was initiated by a group of Reno-based business visionaries and local, state, and federal governmental leaders and facilitated by REA250 staff. They envisioned a ZEV corridor that would enhance and accelerate the research and development of new technologies in both California and Nevada while creating the infrastructure for an emerging zero emission vehicle industry in Northern Nevada.
Susan Clark, Ph.D. and co-founder of the Renewable Energy Accelerator notes “We have now assembled the best and brightest in Nevada, while engaging our neighbors in California, to leverage its renewable energy resources, excellent business climate, and sophisticated networks to make sure that Northern Nevada is the epicenter of an accelerated American ZEV economy.” Clark will present Thursday’s announcement on the Legislature steps, and continue to initiate future development of the ZEV corridor project.
ZEV Project accomplishments to date include:
• Outreach to ZEV companies looking for production facilities that utilize renewable energy resources for production.
• The assemblage of land and initial funding to support the private development of office buildings and production facilites powered by renewable resources.
• The on-going development of the business and legal structure needed to support the rapid development of a ZEV economy in Northern Nevada as a model for the US conversion.
Founders Susan and Don Clark with their team of highly ambitious and qualified business professionals identified the need for an action-oriented strategic organization designed to accelerate the use of renewable energy resources in Nevada. The Renewable Energy Accelerator at 250 Bell (REA250) was created to meet said demand. In alignment with national, state, and local renewable energy policies, the REA250 was established for the sole purpose of advancing Nevada’s economic and environmental sustainability while providing a role model for other regions.
REA250 was developed to meet the needs for high-stakes, fast-moving solutions in renewable energy.
REA250 is part of a larger collaborative at 250 Bell Street including the Education Design Group, Sierra Club, Dynamic Competence, Cathexes Architecture, Clean Energy Center, Great Basin Wind, Bombard Renewable Energy, Renewable Nevada and SmartBrand.
Other regional collaborators include Northern Nevada Urban Development Company, Nevada System of Higher Education, Nevada County School Districts, Building and Trade Councils, Electrical Workers Union, AFL-CIO, and various industry representatives and consultants.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for taking the initiative and investing your energy in alternative energy promotion. This industry can put Nevada back to work by providing near-term & long-term employment to many thousands in Nevada. Nevada's leadership would be wise to assemble a diverse team of professionals to collaborate with entrepreneurial energy developers in expediting licenses, permits, zoning and connectivity obstacles encountered. This is a far-sighted and proactive undertaking. As the driving force for alternative energy development, your group can put Nevada back to work with anticipation of employment and benefit from a ready supply of green-energy for decades to come. Go, REA250 Team!