About a year ago, NV Energy closed one of its oldest and most controversial power plants.
Environmentalists cheered the closure of the Reid-Gardner Generating Station, located 50 miles northeast of Nevada after more than 50 years of operation.
That came after state lawmakers passed a bill in 2013 that sought to end NV Energy’s reliance on coal to power Southern Nevada. Since then, the company has since promised to look to renewable energy.
But about 500 miles north of Las Vegas in a remote part of northern Nevada remains one of the state’s last coal-powered plants: Valmy.
And it might be here to stay for another seven years.
Kevin Geraghty, Senior Vice President of Operations for NV Energy, said at this point the power plant is the only way to bring power to the area.
"There is no known resource to tap into for Northern Nevada to replace North Valmy at this time," Geraghty said.
The Sierra Club has said the plant could be retired early and save money, but Geraghty said the plant is the best economic choice because another plant would have to be built to replace it and NV Energy can't bring power from another state to the area.
Geraghty said the idea to not retire the plant is really just a first step. He said NV Energy will do a more thorough assessment before it makes a final decision.
Kevin Geraghty, Senior Vice President of Operations, NV Energy