The Newcomers Club and clean energy

Since the economic downturn community leaders have gathered in numerous forums to determine the best solution for economic recovery in northern Nevada. Conferences held by the Chamber, EDAWN and the Reno Gazette-Journal have all identified clean energy as a key ingredient. Political leaders echo the virtues of clean energy for job creation and for transitioning from a consumption to a production economy. But so far progress has been slow. It's like we know what to do, but don't know exactly how, given state finances and political ideologies.

Solar operations in southern Nevada are doing exceptionally well, with the latest massive Crescent Dunes CSP project in Tonopah as an example. Geothermal is a rousing success in the north, making Nevada among the highest per capita conversion to electricity in the country. And the City of Reno launched a $20 million clean energy retrofit and energy efficiency project in 2008 to put Reno on the map as a renewable energy leader.

However, clean energy companies that develop solar, wind, or biofuel technologies continue to play a very small role in the economic development plans in the north. Many innovative, worthy start-ups are stuck for lack of funding and risk disappearing. Seriously.

To reinvent a western phrase, there's a new sheriff in town. In fact, there are several. Three of the economic development agencies in the north have new leaders newcomers and all of them will be guided by the new economic development plan from Governor Sandoval, also a relative newcomer. Here's a run down on the players:

* Steve Hill is executive director of the new Governor's Office of Economic Development and has been on the job for about six months. Now known as GOED, it replaces the former Nevada Commission on Economic Development.

* Mike Kazmierski is president and chief executive of the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada. He moved here from Colorado and just celebrated his first 100 days.

* Christopher Baum is president and CEO of the Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority. He was imported from Detroit and, likewise is only a few months on the job.

* Rob Hooper is executive director of the Northern Nevada Development Authority. While he is one of the veterans, he will be guided by the new set of economic development plans from the GOED.

* Another veteran, Dave Archer, is president and CEO of the Nevada's Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology. While not a state agency, per se, NCET and the other agencies of cross-pollinate each others' committees to achieve common goals.

According to the state economic development plan for 2012-14, just published from Governor Sandoval's office, targeting key industry sectors is one of five major objectives. And clean energy is one of the four "targeted sectors" that will get increased staff attention over the next three years. The overall mission is to attract, retain and develop "high-quality jobs for Nevadans."

You are never disappointed being cynical, especially if past performance warrants. But there is reason to believe that Nevada's "newcomers" and the new economic development plan can make a real difference this time. First, there's that natural excitement that accompanies new high-paying positions for these professionals, plus the pressure that all political, business and media eyes are on you. But there's more.

From a series of interviews I conducted , here are some insight. (Steve Hill was not available for participation.)

Mike Kazmierski, EDAWN

Their overall economic development strategy has three components: attraction, retention and support for entrepreneurial and startup ventures. Entrepreneurship support and development includes clean energy companies.

* "Renewable energy is an important part of our future as a community and we are incorporating a focus on the attraction, retention and entrepreneurial growth of clean energy jobs in all of our programs at EDAWN. We will be pushing for a renewed emphasis on sustainability by the entire community as that will also help to create additional opportunities in the clean energy sector."

Christopher Baum, RSCVA

* As senior vice president of the convention & visitors bureau in Detroit, Baum created a national marketing campaign, "Detroit 3.0, " that promoted green tech as one of the region's growth industries.

* To attract meetings and conventions to northern Nevada, he plans to approach green energy associations (solar, wind, geothermal, etc.) to investigate convention opportunities.

* "Green energy is good business and good citizenship, but it's also good for us and our families, so it's a win-win."

Rob Hooper, NNDA

* Generally, their goal is to help new or startup renewable energy companies launch and grow. He spoke enthusiastically about helping co-generation firm Elite Energy become established in Carson City.

* To compete with neighboring states that offer location cash grants, NNDA points out that business taxes and other costs in these states end up costing more over time. Similar to what EDAWN practices, NNDA performs analysis of all costs of running a business over time and demonstrates that after, say 10 years, cost of operating in Nevada is cheaper.

Dave Archer, NCET

* "Nevada is poised to become the clean energy capital of the world, and clean energy will be a major factor in Nevada's future economic growth. We'll see more and more companies choose to locate here, as have Advanced Refining Concepts, ElectraTherm, Gradient Resources. And, we'll see a growing number of companies install geothermal, wind and solar generating plants in Nevada, joining Enel Green Power, Ormat Technologies and Sempra."

There is now a new formal ED plan in place from Governor Sandoval's office that directly supports clean energy as one of four "target sectors" for development. Combine that with solid credentials, commitment, public and peer pressure on our "newcomers," it looks like there is a chance of achieving Dave Archer's hope of becoming the energy capital. And a realization of Senator Reid's oft-quoted promise for Nevada to become the "Saudi Arabia of renewable energy." But it will only happen if we all do our part.

Dave Roberts is principal of Marketing Green Power in Reno. Contact him through www.marketinggreenpower.com.