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Sierra Pacific Power was recognized for its environmental excellence at the 20th Annual Golden Pinecone Ball in Reno, an event presented by Nevada EcoNet, an organization devoted to environmental education in northern Nevada.
     
The utility earned a Golden Pinecone in the business category for its collaboration with The Nature Conservancy and the Truckee Meadows Water Authority to protect 3,350 acres of forested lands in the Truckee River Canyon. The three entities worked closely with the Truckee Donner Land Trust and three California state agencies to structure a deal to preserve the canyon while protecting the watershed and allowing public access to some of the property.

In addition, the award was presented in recognition of Sierra Pacific Power's renewable energy and energy efficiency programs, including the SolarGenerations program to encourage the use of solar panels on homes, small businesses, schools and public buildings; the Senior Power program to provide energy efficiency assistance to frail and homebound seniors; the company's ongoing programs to promote compact fluorescent lights and energy efficient appliances; and an initiative to safely recycle old, energy inefficient refrigerators.

Accepting the Golden Pinecone on behalf of Sierra Pacific Power was Karen Ross, manager of the company's community relations department.

Other 2007 Golden Pinecone winners included Nevada Assemblyman David Bobzien; Bill Whitney, a senior planner for Washoe County; Michael Cameron, associate director of The Nature Conservancy; and the Local Food System Network, including Community Supported Agriculture, the Great Basin Community Food Co-op and the Nevada Farmers Market Association.

Nevada EcoNet organizes the annual Earth Day event in Reno and compiles and publishes The Green Directory, a guide to northern Nevada's environmental groups and services. The 2007 Golden Pinecone Ball was held on Oct. 20 at the Nevada Museum of Art in Reno.