Nevada Power
Contact: Sonya Headen
Phone: (702) 367-5680

For Immediate Release

(Las Vegas, NV)Nevada Power President Steven W. Rigazio has announced his retirement effective June 1, 2001. Rigazio cited health reasons for leaving the daily operations of the company. He was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's Disease in 1999. He will remain an advisor to Sierra Pacific Resources.

"Steve has shown tremendous leadership in guiding Nevada Power through extraordinary changes in our industry,"said Walt Higgins, CEO of Sierra Pacific Resources."I've admired Steve's continued leadership during his illness as he sustained his service to our customers and our community. He will be missed by everyone at the company."

Rigazio joined Nevada Power Company in 1984 as rates administrator. He was named vice president of planning in 1991, and in 1992 was named vice president, treasurer and chief financial officer.

When Nevada Power Company merged with Sierra Pacific Resources in 1999, Rigazio was named senior vice president of energy delivery, and in 2000 was named President of Nevada Power Company.

Previously, he was employed for three years with the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada (PUCN). He spent three years in the stock brokerage business before joining the PUCN.

Rigazio has been involved in the Las Vegas community, serving on the boards of Nevada Development Authority, Nevadans for the Prevention of ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease), New Horizons Academy, Bishop Gorman High School Board of Regents, the Salvation Army, Sunrise Children's Hospital Foundation, Friends of PBS Channel 10, the Nevada Taxpayers Association and the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce Board of Advisors.

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