Contact:   Karen Foster

775-834-5683

Nevada Power Company and Sierra Pacific Power Company are now accepting applications from Nevada-based nonprofit agencies to fund weatherization and energy-efficient retrofit projects to help reduce operational costs for energy.  Examples of projects include:  replacement of lighting systems, electric heating and cooling technologies, controls such as thermostats, or other measures that reduce energy consumption.

To qualify for these grants an agency must be a Nevada Power or Sierra Pacific customer in good standing, a 501(c)(3) physically located within the companies' service areas (Nevada customers only), and the money must be used to fund energy-efficient retrofits or weatherization projects. A total of $100,000 will be awarded by each utility company, for a total of $200,000 statewide. Improvement projects must be completed by October 1, 2005.  Agencies will be required to provide a written confirmation or visual inspection upon completion of the funded improvements.

Individual projects may be funded in full up to $5,000. For grants between $5,000 and $10,000, a matching investment from the nonprofit organization will be required.

Energy experts from each utility company are available to help agencies identify potential energy saving opportunities and cost-effective methods to help reduce their energy costs.  Contact the number below to set up an appointment.

Application letters may be submitted via U.S. Mail, fax, email or hand delivery and should include the following information:

• Agency name and address
• Contact person, phone number and email address
• Federal Tax ID#
• Projected kWh or kW savings
• Type of community service provided by the agency
• Type of facility used by the agency and if owned or rented.  If rented, include the terms of the lease
• Current energy use per month and a copy of the latest power bill
• Amount of the grant being requested
• Brief description of the conservation efforts the grant will fund.  Attach vendor estimates if available

The submission deadline is March 1, 2005.  Applications for both utility companies should be directed to:

Larry Rackley             
Sierra Pacific Power Company
PO Box 10100
(775) 834-4801
fax:  (775) 834-5514
email:lrackley@sppc.com   

Emily Sanchez
Nevada Power Company
Las Vegas, NV  89151
(702) 227-2189
fax:  (702) 367-5452
email: esanchez@nevp.com