Shoshone-Paiute Tribes Announce Support for China Mountain Wind Project

BOISE, Idaho, June 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Shoshone-Paiute Tribes announced their support for the proposed China Mountain Wind Project in the Twin Falls County, Idaho and Elko County, Nevada region. The project, being developed by China Mountain Wind, LLC, a subsidiary of RES America Developments Inc. and NV Energy, will bring renewable energy, new job creation and economic benefits to the area.

In a news conference held Monday at the Idaho State Capitol, the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes Business Council signed a resolution supporting the proposed China Mountain Wind Project. The project will be developed on approximately 30,000 acres of property owned by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the Idaho Department of Lands and private landowners. It will generate enough renewable energy to power more than 100,000 homes, according to statistics provided by the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), and will consist of up to 200 wind turbines that will produce up to 400 megawatts of electricity.

"Renewable energy, energy without burning fossil fuels, is needed to reverse changes affecting us all, everywhere.  It is no longer sufficient to say that this is a problem that can be solved by other people in other locations," said Terry Gibson of the Shoshone-Paiute Business Council.  He continued, "We need to start solving this problem right away and in places where we have the best renewable energy resources. The Shoshone-Paiute recognize a responsibility to face this difficulty, largely brought on by other people, but to do so in a way that preserves our history and way of life as fully as possible."

The Council resolution emphasizes that responsible development of clean, renewable energy is a key part of the Tribes' future. It also recognizes RES Americas and NV Energy's commitment to respect the Tribes' desire to protect their cultural and religious sites and species, including the sage grouse, living on and around China Mountain.  

"Nevada's recovery will depend on our ability to take advantage of its renewable energy resources and translate them into economic opportunity," said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.  "By encouraging partnerships like the one announced today, we can quickly create jobs and economic growth and help carve the way to building stronger and more sustainable tribal communities in Nevada and across the West."

"RES Americas and the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes share a common goal of building a sustainable future through responsible management of limited resources," said Tom Hiester, Vice President of Western Region Development at RES Americas. "The China Mountain Wind Project is critical to achieving that goal," added Hiester. "Over the past several months, we have had the opportunity to meet with the Tribes' Business Council and better understand the Tribes' history and values. We are thrilled to have their support and will continue to work with the Shoshone-Paiute tribal leadership to ensure they have a voice and role in the protection of China Mountain for generations to come."

"It is no secret that Nevada is rich in renewable energy potential.  We have an abundance of geothermal, solar, and wind energy. The growing energy demand in our country requires that we find innovative solutions for our energy needs.  The China Mountain Wind Project will help create jobs and provide reliable clean energy to more than 100,000 homes.  I am pleased to have worked with stakeholders in this process to help make this project a reality," said Senator Dean Heller.     

Bobby Hollis, NV Energy's Executive for Renewable Energy, noted his company's appreciation for the support of the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes and the importance of their involvement in this wind project.  "Our goal is to help assure that this important renewable energy project is built in a responsible and environmentally friendly manner, and we're excited to join RES Americas and the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes as this project takes another step toward that goal."

Renewable Energy Systems Americas Inc. is a fully-integrated renewable energy company that develops, constructs, owns, and operates projects across North America. For more than a decade, RES Americas has been in the renewable energy industry. The company employs more than 300 full time professionals working throughout North America, has constructed or has under construction more than 5,200 MW, and is working on a development portfolio of approximately 10,000 MW. RES Americas' corporate office is located in Broomfield, CO with regional offices located in Austin, TX; Portland, OR; Minneapolis, MN. Canadian projects are managed from Montreal, Quebec, by its affiliate, RES Canada. RES Americas is part of the RES Group, a leading international renewable energy developer.  

For more information on RES Americas, please visit http://www.res-americas.com.

For more information on the China Mountain Wind Project, please visit http://www.chinamountainwind.com.

NV Energy, Inc., headquartered in Las Vegas, is a holding company whose principal subsidiaries, Nevada Power Company and Sierra Pacific Power Company, are doing business as NV Energy. Serving a 44,425-square-mile service territory that stretches north to south from Elko to Laughlin, NV Energy provides a wide range of energy services and products to approximately 2.4 million citizens of Nevada as well as approximately 40 million tourists annually.

For more information on NV Energy, please visit http://www.nvenergy.com/.

Shoshone-Paiute Tribes Business Council of the Duck Valley Indian Reservation consists of a governing body of tribal leaders. The membership of this Council consists of a chairman and 6 council members duly elected to serve 3 years. The Duck Valley Indian Reservation was established as a homeland for members of both the Shoshone and Paiute tribes of Native Americans. It lies directly on the state line between Idaho and Nevada in the western United States. The reservation, which is in the shape of a square, is almost evenly divided in land area between the two states, with the northern 50.2 percent lying in southern Owyhee County, Idaho and the southern 49.8 percent lying in northwestern Elko County, Nevada.  

For more information on Shoshone-Paiute Tribes, please visit http://www.shopaitribes.org/tc/.

SOURCE Renewable Energy Systems Americas Inc.