SUBMITTED NEWS RELEASE
CARSON CITY–Gov. Brian Sandoval announced today that Stacey Crowley, Director of the Nevada State Office of Energy, will serve as acting commissioner for the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Authority, succeeding Hatice Gecol, effective Feb. 16.
“Stacey will work to streamline programs that support and implement energy efficiency and renewable energy in the state,” Sandoval said.
The governor has proposed consolidating REEEA with the Nevada State Office of Energy.
Programs and regulations currently under REEEA include the creation of a comprehensive statewide energy plan, adoption of regulations for evaluating energy consumption in residences and energy conservation in buildings, and granting of partial property, sales and use tax abatements to qualifying renewable energy facilities. Other duties include managing the New Energy Industry Task Force and Local Government Panel on Renewable and Energy Efficiency.
“All of these tasks are quite compatible with the work of the NSOE,” Crowley said. “By merging the two sets of responsibilities together, we will serve the state more effectively and cohesively.”
The work of the NSOE is primarily funded through a federal Department of Energy formula grant, but over the past two years, the office has been allocating American Reinvestment & Recovery Act and Energy Efficiency Community Block Grant energy stimulus funds to Nevada schools, state buildings and various counties for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.
DOE recently notified the NSOE that Nevada is the top state in the nation for allocating EECBG funds and one of the top five states for expending State Energy Program ARRA monies. “Our staff has been working diligently to ensure that the ARRA funds are creating the programs and jobs that are putting Nevadans to work,” Crowley said.
Additional programs the NSOE administers include the:
* Nevada Retrofit Initiative – a $5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to improve the energy efficiency of 5 percent of all Nevada residential homes by 2011
* Revolving Loan Program – more than $8 million in low-cost loans to help get renewable energy projects started in Nevada (15 in the first phase, second phase beginning soon)
* Tax Abatements – granting partial tax abatements for green buildings that meet the equivalent of the LEED Silver level or higher.
A recognized leader in green development solutions, Crowley has over 15 years of experience in architecture, planning, policy, research and advocacy with projects of varying sizes, types and locations with a focus on smart growth, conservation and the arts. She is a graduate of the University of Michigan and earned a Masters of Architecture from the University of New Mexico. She is a registered architect and has been a LEED Accredited Professional since 2001.
