Majority Leader Sen. Harry Reid, (D-Nev.) will hold a town hall discussion on Nevada's role in achieving energy independence at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 15, at the Bob Ruud Community Center.

Doors will open at 11 a.m. A mass mailing to Pahrump residents requested any attendees to RSVP Reid's office at 1-702-388-5020.

The House passed a bill on the last day of the session Saturday, imposing $16 billion in new taxes on the oil industry while providing billions of dollars in tax breaks and incentives for renewable energy and conservation efforts. A controversial provision would require utilities to get 15 percent of their power from alternative energy.

It will be merged with a Senate bill passed in June.