geothermal

Nevada has been picked as finalist to host the Department of Energy’s new Frontier Observatory for Research in Geothermal laboratory, Sen. Harry Reid announced Wednesday.

A sign at the front entrance to Carson Hot Springs Resort notifies customers of construction noise, but that doesn't seem to bother patrons of the mineral pools, Resort Manager Keith Shellhamer said.

Wendy Calvin has been working on Mars for 12 years. She is the Science Operations Working Group Chair on a team that has been exploring the Martian landscape with the rover Opportunity.

In the early 1970s, as assistant city engineer in Urbana, where I attended the University of Illinois, I worked on bikeways, sewer systems to minimize pollution, promoting underground power and telephone lines, and other “green” projects. Later, as a university research engineer, I worked on many other environmental, energy and policy issues.

Supporters of action on climate change took to public venues and social media throughout Thanksgiving weekend about the need for bold global action at the Paris Climate Talks.

Activists from organizations including the Sierra Club, Peoples Climate Movement, Avaaz and others took part in public Sunday strolls and rallies at two key venues, the Reno-Tahoe International Airport and public sidewalks near Meadowood Mall, as part of global climate actions coordinated by 350.org.

Researchers from the University of Nevada, Reno are poised to play a key role in a project that holds the potential to unlock massive new resources of power generated from geothermal sources.

Here are 30 outdoor trivia questions to test your outdoor knowledge in the areas of fish, animal and miscellaneous.
If you're ready to take the test, I'll pose the questions first and then post the answers at the end of this article.
Good luck and remember no cheating by peeking at the answers.

Nevada has received a $2.1 million grant as the first phase of the competition to create the Department of Energy’s geothermal research laboratory.Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., said the Frontier Observatory fo...

Nevada Senator Harry Reid announced today that Nevada has received $2.1 million in the first phase of a competition to host the Department of Energy’s new Frontier Observatory for Research in Geothermal laboratory.

The FORGE laboratory, which would be dedicated to research in the next generation of geothermal energy technology, could be located in Fallon, Nev. Subject to any future restrictions in appropriation bills, this laboratory could receive up to $30 million in funding from the Department of Energy and perhaps tens of millions more.

Thursdays get busy in Carson City. You can choose the Legislative Showdown Basketball game at Carson High and watch the battle of the Donkeys vs. Elephants. The WNC Wildcats take on the College of Eastern Utah this afternoon on the baseball field. The monthly Francis Humphrey Lecture Series at the Nevada State Museum features a slide-show and talk about various geothermal features around the world. Or you can enjoy a performance at the Bob Boldrick Theater in the Community Center as our talented student string musicians present their Spring Fling concert. Check out the list for even more.

THURSDAY:

• Nevada Physicians’ Day at the Legislature
• ‘The Observation and Conclusion’ by artist Joseph Watson at the LXS Gallery in the Legislature Building
• CCAI Exhibit: BRIC Art 5 at the BRIC: 108 E Proctor Street (8am-12pm and 1pm-5pm)

What do Yellowstone National Park and Iceland have in common with Nevada? Find out April 23 at the Nevada State Museum in Carson City when Dr. Chip Carroon presents a slide lecture on "Geothermal Features of Yellowstone, Iceland and Nevada."

Sen. Dean Heller, R-Nev., has introduced legislation he said will streamline and simplify the review process for Geothermal exploration.He said the current process is “grueling.”“What’s worse is these companies are fo...

Construction has begun on a $6.1 million substation that, once finished, will be a key hub for much of the power supplied to the Lahontan Valley, according to NV Energy. The substation is being built adjacent to an existing substation about a half mile northeast of Lahontan Dam.

Once the new facility is completed, the existing facility, built in the 1950s, will be retired from service and dismantled, said Russell Groesbeck, area service manager for NV Energy’s Fallon office. The project is expected to be finished by March 2015.

Tesla Motors has officially chosen Nevada as the location to build a $5 billion battery plant for its electric vehicle batteries.

“The gigafactory is an important step in advancing the cause of sustainable transportation and will enable the mass production of compelling electric vehicles for decades to come,” said CEO of Tesla Motors Elon Musk.

Climate change is hurting reproduction of the endangered Devils Hole pupfish, threatening the survival of this rare species that has numbered as few as 35 individuals, new research by the University of Nevada, Reno and Desert Research Institute shows.

Scientists report that geothermal water on a small shelf near the surface of an isolated cavern in the Nevada desert where the pupfish live is heating up as a result of climate change and is likely to continue heating to dangerous levels.

USDA Rural Development will hold a workshop June 12 to help rural small businesses and agricultural producers apply for the federal Rural Energy for America Program funds.

The workshop will be conducted via video teleconference from 9-11:30 a.m. at Cooperative Extension offices in Carson City, Ely, Eureka, Yerington, Caliente and at the Logandale Office. USDA Rural Energy Coordinator Mark Williams will lead the training from the Carson City location to help applicants understanding the REAP application process.

Applications are being sought by the USDA from rural small businesses and agriculture producers looking to make energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy installations, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced Monday. Up to $12.3 million in grants and $57.8 million in loan guarantees are available nationwide.

Nevada Senators Harry Reid and Dean Heller jointly released a discussion draft Friday of the Nevada Sagebrush Landscape Conservation and Economic Development Act. The proposal would conserve sage-grouse habitat in Nevada while providing economic development opportunities to industries and local governments throughout the state.

Well Howdy folks! I sincerely hope you all had a GREAT Thanksgiving! We do have so much to be thankful for.

One of the things I am thankful for is that we have finished updating all our office computers operating system to a newer version of “doors” (not the real name to protect the innocent). I haven’t noticed any improvement in productivity yet though. (I thought new computer stuff always meant new tools that make us more productive.

Dr. Wendy Calvin, who is the director for the Center for Geothermal Energy will discuss the evolution of engineering and landing systems as well as how our scientific knowledge about Mars has advanced.

Doors open at 7:00 p.m.

More than a decade ago, a Western Nevada College physics professor’s dream, a desire by college students to learn about astronomy, and the Carson City community's willingness to help make dreams come true, all converged to create the Jack C. Davis Observatory.

Now, WNC and the observatory staff and volunteers have planned a stellar celebration from May 2-15 to commemorate 10 years of science and discovery in Nevada’s capital city.

State Geologist James E. Faulds presents a thought-provoking question as the topic of the Nevada State Museum’s Frances Humphrey Lecture Series at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 28. In “Why is Nevada in Hot Water: Tectonic Controls on Geothermal Activity in the Great Basin,” Faulds focuses on how fault systems initiate and evolve through time.

Geothermal studies enhance understanding of what controls hot fluids in the earth’s crust and aid in exploration and discovery of energy resources. Scientists study geologic faults and stress conditions to determine where to drill.

Nevada son and United States Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid addressed a joint session of the Nevada State Legislature today in Carson City. Here is the text of his speech:

CARSON CITY – Rep. Mark Amodei, R-Nev., said today that any “green energy” policy that leads to higher electric bills for Nevadans who are looking for work in tough economic times is the wrong energy policy for the state.

“Nobody is anti-green,” he said. “We struggle to compete with the cost of a kilowatt hour when we talk about economic development. And economic development has something to do with jobs.”

CARSON CITY – With U.S. Sen. Harry Reid’s 5^th annual National Clean Energy Summit set to kick off today in Las Vegas, the debate over alternative energy development and the government’s role in its future rages on.

The Copper Mountain Solar 1 facility in Boulder City that President Obama visited Wednesday is certainly impressive. With nearly 1 million solar panels, the nation’s largest operating solar facility can provide power for about 17,000 homes without producing any harmful emissions or sending any money out of state for dirty coal or foreign oil.

RENO, Nev. – An online graduate certificate in renewable energy that provides an opportunity to study the policies and practices in the diverse fields of renewable energy is being offered at the University of Nevada, Reno beginning in the spring 2012 semester.

“With an emphasis on renewable energy by the Governor’s Task Force on Economic Development, this should be a popular program,” Nancy LaTourrette, of the University’s College of Engineering, said. “The program provides a breadth of understanding of the different aspects of renewable energy in a traditional semester-long time frame.”

Eleven people have been named to a state task force to promote development of renewable energy and energy efficiency projects.

Gov. Brian Sandoval wants the task force to initially focus on development of transmission facilities to ship such energy sources as solar and geothermal power out of the state.

It's getting easier for Tom Matter and Jason Geddes to push the rock up the hill as they woo geothermal companies to locate their offices in Reno.And with some successes in hand, Geddes and Matter ...

FALLON -- The Carson City District Bureau of Land Management this week gave the OK for up to five geothermal energy plants in Churchill County as well as a new transmission line extending south fro...