Media Contacts:
Faye I. Andersen, (775) 834-4822 or
Karl Walquist, (775) 834-3891

Every day is Earth Day for Sierra Pacific Power Company. In keeping with the overall energy strategy of its parent company, Sierra Pacific Resources, Sierra Pacific Power is putting energy conservation and renewable energy at the forefront for the state's electric customers.

Nevada already leads the nation in geothermal and solar power per capita. In 2007 and during the first quarter of 2008, the company completed seven new renewable projects totaling 135 megawatts (MW), and an additional eight geothermal projects totaling 288 MW are under development or construction, bringing the state's total to more than 500 MW of geothermal power.

Sierra Pacific Power has also been community minded in its efforts to help keep Nevada greener including:

* Participation in more than 10 Earth Day fairs to promote energy efficiency and conservation to customers including:

• Reno Clean and Green Fair, April 1
• Tune-in-to-Kids Fair, April 12
• Reno Green Up, April 17
• Intuit Earth Day Fair, April 18
• MontBleu Resort Fair at South Lake Tahoe, April 19
• Earth Day at Idlewild Park, April 20
• City of Reno Environmental Fair, April 25
• Squaw Valley Ski Resort, April 26
• Several schools at Lake Tahoe and northern Nevada

* Active participation in the Clinton Global Initiative.

However, leading the way in green energy is an effort best accomplished with the help of our customers. The simplest and most effective ways to reduce energy consumption begin at home.

Replacing one incandescent light bulb with a compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) can help reduce energy use by up to 75 percent and save more than $30 in energy costs over the lifetime of the CFL. 

Due to innovative lighting programs and promotions, Sierra Pacfic Power was awarded with the National 2008 Excellence in ENERGY STAR Promotion Award for our ENERGY STAR Lighting and Appliance Program. Since the program's inception:

• More than 3.3 million CFLs have been distributed in Nevada, accounting for more than 209 million kWh of first-year energy savings.
• More than 43,000 CFLs have been provided to local homebuilders to replace incandescent light bulbs in model homes. Replacing the incandescent light bulbs– which typically operate 24 hours a day in model homes -- provided participating homebuilders a significant reduction in energy costs.