LAS VEGAS, Oct 01, 2007 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Sierra Pacific Resources (NYSE:SRP) has formed the Nevada Geothermal Energy Technical Advisory Panel to provide advice and insight to senior management regarding geothermal resource issues. The panel is comprised of world leaders in geothermal resource analysis who have devoted their careers to geothermal resource development and study. The panel will review and evaluate geothermal prospects and geothermal development opportunities as provided by Tom Fair, Sierra Pacific Resources Executive, Renewable Energy.

The group will meet quarterly to consider specific issues identified by Fair, such as the exploration, geology, drilling, reservoir and plant engineering of Nevada geothermal prospects.

"Forming this panel is a critical step in ensuring that the company receives the best advice possible for long-term planning to fully realize benefits of Nevada's geothermal energy resources," stated Fair.

The panel is chaired by David D. Blackwell, PhD, professor of Geology at Southern Methodist University. Dr. Blackwell earned his doctorate in Geophysics from Harvard University and has been a leader in geothermal research in the United States.

"This formation of this panel indicates Sierra Pacific Resources dedication to work with renewables, specifically geothermal, in Nevada," said Blackwell. "It is a concrete demonstration of their commitment to the renewable portfolio standard as set by the public utilities commission."

Leland "Roy" Mink, retired program director for the Geothermal Technologies Program, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), also will sit on the panel. He spent four years with DOE as a geothermal energy project manager and served as vice president of exploration for U.S. Geothermal until he was appointed Director of the DOE's Geothermal Technologies Program in February 2003.

Lisa Shevenell is a hydrogeologist for the Nevada Bureau of Mines and the director of the Great Basin Center for Geothermal Energy. She received her doctorate in Hydrogeology from the University of Nevada, Reno and has worked in geothermal research, exploration and assessment for over 24 years.

Subir Sanyal is the president and manager of reservoir engineering services of GeothermEx, Inc. He earned his PhD in petroleum engineering from Stanford University. Dr. Sanyal's expertise is in the management of geothermal field development and operation. GeothermEx, Inc. is a 34-year-old organization that provides consulting services to the geothermal industry.

Headquartered in Nevada, Sierra Pacific Resources is a holding company whose principal subsidiaries are Nevada Power Company, the electric utility for most of southern Nevada, and Sierra Pacific Power Company, the electric utility for most of northern Nevada and the Lake Tahoe area of California. Sierra Pacific Power Company also distributes natural gas in the Reno-Sparks area of northern Nevada.

SOURCE: Sierra Pacific Resources

Sierra Pacific Resources
Adam Grant, 702-367-5222