BY: BRENT KEELE In the current economy, it's no secret that States are actively competing to attract the types of business development that will diversify and stimulate local economies. Recently, the renewable energy industry has been the focus of this competition. The reasons States are focused on the renewable energy industry are clear. First, the renewable energy sector is one of the few segments of our economy that has continued to grow and expand despite the recession. Second, high demand for renewable energy is expected to continue indefinitely in order to satisfy the renewable portfolio standards being imposed in many jurisdictions. Currently, California's renewable portfolio standard ("RPS") requires that certain California utilities must provide 20% of total retail energy sales from eligible renewable resources. Nevada's RPS is 12% for 2010, and incrementally escalates to 25% by 2025. Third, the construction of renewable energy projects is labor intensive which helps to revitalize the local construction industry. LEARN MORE ABOUT BRENT KEELE BY: RYAN BELLOWS Do you do business with the federal government? Does your renewable energy company lease land from the federal government? If so, the odds are that your business is a federal contractor. Generally speaking, a business or organization is a federal contractor if it: (1) holds a single federal contract, subcontract, or federally assisted construction contract in excess of $10,000; (2) has federal contracts or subcontracts that combined total in excess of $10,000 in any 12-month period; or (3) holds government bills of lading, serves as a depository of federal funds, or is an issuing and paying agent for U.S. savings bonds. In addition, some businesses or organizations that do not independently hold federal contracts/subcontracts may still be considered a federal contractor if they are closely related to a business or organization that holds such contracts. 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, Matt Bergin, Leo P. III Drakulich, Kathleen Du, Miranda Frankovich, John Gray, Matt Giudici, Jim Jundt, Andrea Keele, Brent Leonard, Debbie Murch, Patrick Newby, Craig Ogilvie, George F. III Pagni, Michael Wilson, Thomas R. C. Yen, Amanda

ENERGY LEGISLATION SUMMARY MUDDYING THE WATERS: SUPREME COURT STIRS UP CONTROVERSY WITH LATEST WATER LAW DECISION WRITING STIMULUS FUNDS GRANT PROPOSALS ENERGY BILLS PASSED BY THE 2009 NEVADA LEGISLATURE WESTERN CLIMATE INITIATIVE Nevada Public Utilities Commission Nevada Energy Office Climate Change Advisory Committee Nevada Renewable Energy Transmission Access Advisory Committee (RETAAC)