LEARN MORE ABOUT THOM SHEETS BY: THOM SHEETS, PARTNER Energy matters were front and center for Nevada lawmakers during the 2009 session. From creating the new post of Nevada Energy Commissioner to requiring that the state's electric utility generate 25% of its energy from renewable sources by 2025, the legislature enacted bills directly affecting renewable energy projects as well as putting an enhanced emphasis on conservation and the use of renewable resources. Tax abatements for large solar, wind and geothermal projects were increased with an eye toward enticing more of this development to a state rich in these resources. The legislature established a fund to make loans to renewable energy projects and extended for 40 years tax breaks for renewable energy producers. One bill allocated county property tax money to a fund which is to be used to reduce energy bills. This energy legislation will lead to regulation making activities at the state's energy office, the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada and to rules defining the nature and breadth of the oversight responsibilities of the Nevada Energy Commissioner. The public regulation making hearing and workshop process is typically as important to affected individuals and entities as are the underlying statutes. Large scale renewable energy developers as well as small scale project developers will be interested in, will likely be affected by, and may wish to consider participating in the regulation making processes which will result in providing the regulatory interpretation of the statutory changes which were enacted. The firm's Energy, Environmental and Natural Resources practice group as well as its Governmental Affairs group professionals are prepared to actively work with our clients on the specifics of the changes to rules, regulations and statutes affecting the energy area in general and the installation of renewable energy systems in Nevada in particular. McDonald Carano Wilson recently welcomed Kathleen Drakulich as partner at the Firm. With more than 15 years experience in the energy and public utility industry, she previously served as assistant general counsel for Sierra Pacific Power Company and Nevada Power Company (now NV Energy) and served as their legislative counsel during three sessions of the Nevada Legislature. In private practice, Drakulich has represented local, national and international energy and public utility firms in procurement matters, supply and purchase contract negotiations, as well as permitting and construction of renewable energy and fossil fuel facilities. She also represents some of Nevada's largest energy users in rate case applications, environmental permitting and line extension proceedings, renewable energy initiatives and other regulatory matters. Named as one of "The Best Lawyers in America" in 2008 and 2009, Drakulich was appointed to Senator Harry Reid's Renewable Energy Blue Ribbon Panel in 2008. She earned her Juris Doctor from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, in 1986. She also holds a bachelor's degree from the University of California, Berkeley. She is a member of the board of directors for Nevada-based, not-for-profit healthcare organization Renown Health, where she serves on the audit and finance committees. LEARN MORE ABOUT KATHLEEN DRAKULICH EE&NR: McDonald Carano Wilson's Energy, Environment and Natural Resources practice group has extensive experience in the fields of Environmental Law; Water Resources; Energy; Public Lands and Land Use; Utilities and Regulatory Law; Mines, Minerals, and Geothermal Resources. We understand the significance of natural resources and energy in the western states, and are skilled in helping our clients achieve their business goals. READ MORE CO-CHAIR CO-CHAIR Harrison, Sylvia Goddard, Leigh T. Addison, Matthew C. Bergin, Leo P. III Drakulich, Kathleen Du, Miranda Frankovich, John Gray, Matt Guidici, Jim Jundt, Andrea Keele, Brent Leonard, Debbie Murch, Patrick Newby, Craig Ogilvie, George F. III Pagni, Michael Sheets, Thom Wilson, Thomas R. C. Yen, Amanda IS A "CAP AND TRADE" SYSTEM TO REDUCE CARBON EMISSIONS COMING TO NEVADA? By: Debbie Leonard LEGAL TOOLS TO PROTECT ACCESS TO SOLAR AND WIND RESOURCES By: Debbie Leonard and Denise Pasquale GEOTHERMAL RESOURCES: WHO OWNS WHAT? By: Sylvia Harrison and Matthew A. Gray Energy Bills Passed by the 2009 Nevada Lesiglature Clean Energy Summit 2.0 Nevada Public Utilities Commission Nevada Energy Office Climate Change Advisory Committee Nevada Renewable Energy Transmission Access Advisory Committee (RETAAC)