There is a tremendous opportunity for wind energy development in the state. In Nevada 42% of the state is classified as good and 25% is excellent or outstanding for potential energy development. Federal land has 9 million acres that meet the outstanding rating and 84% of the land is available. Private land has 2 million acres with potential and some forest and state acreage also has good potential. By 2013 Nevada Power Company must by 13% of its power in the state. There is also a California market.

Some are working hard to develop the market for Nevada energy, but the cost is high. Windmills cost 1 million dollars per mega watt. A 50-mega watt unit would cost $50 million and the contract would cover a 20-year period of time. In project areas the development rights would cost $1.00 a year per acre. In development areas the cost would be $2,300 per mega watt installed plus a production percentage. The Division of Wildlife has proposed partnerships that would act like the partnership with mining. Up front planning as it relates to renewable energy and wildlife will reduce some of the mitigation costs. There is still work to be done on legislative regulation and costs involved.

One of the big questions is how the transmission of energy will be handled. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will work with industries to find corridors that exist. Mining has developed possible corridors and brought in infrastructure that could be used. Twenty-three sites are authorized for anemometers that will provide needed data for future projects.

Although the major objection to wind power is visual, renewable energy would be an additional economic base for rural area opportunity.