Media Contact: Sonya Headen (702) 367-5222

Nevada Power today announced  that it has made a $300,000 energy assistance grant to United Way of Southern Nevada to fund Project REACH, (Relief through Energy Assistance to Prevent Customer Hardships). Project REACH provides financial assistance to qualified customers who experience unplanned hardships and are unable to pay for their electricity needs.
     
Nevada Power is teaming up again with United Way of Southern Nevada and 14 partner agencies to help adults over the age of 62, seniors who are isolated, medically fragile persons, as well as reserve and National Guard members pay their utility bills. "We are extremely grateful for Nevada Power's $300,000 grant and $100,000 gift from The Celine Dion Foundation as a result of a benefit concert aimed at raising funds in support of our vulnerable population,"said Dan Goulet, president and CEO of United Way of Southern Nevada. "Working within our network of partner agencies allows us to act quickly and provide energy assistance during the hot summer months."

Partner agencies:  Caring, Helping,& Restoring Lives, Inc., Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada, Clark County Senior Advocate Program, East Valley Family Service, Family Resource Coalition in Laughlin, HELP of Southern Nevada, Helping Hands of Vegas Valley, Henderson Allied Community Advocates, Henderson Senior Center, Las Vegas Senior Lifeline, Lutheran Social Services of Nevada, Nevada Association of Nevada, North Las Vegas Helping Hands and Salvation Army Family Services.  Project REACH began accepting applications this month and will continue until funds are depleted.
     
"Nevada Power has committed resources to support Project REACH because of our belief in giving back to the community,"said Doretha Graham-Easler, community relations manager, Nevada Power Company. "This grant affords us the opportunity to reinvest in our community and provide assistance to our customers in southern Nevada who need help paying their electric bills this summer".
     
In addition to the direct financial assistance, which is funded by Nevada Power Company shareholders and not by the utility's customers, Nevada Power Company and its employees have collectively contributed more than $6.2  million to United Way of Southern Nevada over the past 20 years through the Company's annual United Way employee campaign and initiatives to help our customers.  For more information on Project REACH, call 367-5200.