Solar firms seek land (Las Vegas, NV)

[jpak]

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2008/dec/24/solar-firms-seek-land/

The city as soon as next month will decide whether parts of the dry lake bed should be used for solar development — an early step in securing what it expects will be a big revenue source by 2010.

The solar designation could rule out future recreational uses on the dry lake bed, City Manager Vicki Mayes said.

NextLight Renewable Power, a new California company, had asked to lease 2,000 acres of city-owned land west of U.S. 95 in the Eldorado Valley for a thermal solar plant.

Six other solar energy companies are interested in leases in the area, Mayes said, and she expected new development there next year to bring lease money. She said she expects there’s enough room in the valley for all seven to build. The city will ask for proposals, including NextLight’s, by February, she said.

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