U.S. Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., announced last week the U.S. Bureau of Land Management lifted a moratorium on accepting new rights-of-way applications for solar power projects while a programmatic environmental impact statement is prepared.

The moratorium announced in May wouldn't have affected applications already submitted for rights-of-way for a dozen solar power projects in Nye County, but solar proponents said it could stifle the growth of the promising new industry.

Nye County commissioners passed a resolution last week, stating the county had a tremendous stake in the solar power industry.

Indeed, the solar projects, if they're permitted and built, would line much of Highway 95 from Amargosa Valley to Beatty.

Reid said in a prepared release:

"I am glad the Bureau of Land Management has arrived at this good decision. Nevada is the Saudi Arabia of solar energy and is poised to lead a global clean energy revolution, and we need to do all we can to encourage public and private investment in projects to develop this amazing potential.

"Nevada and the BLM are good partners, and we look forward to working together on these efforts moving forward."

The resolution passed by Nye County commissioners stated:

"Nye County looks forward to working with agencies as well as the project proponents to ensure the availability of clean energy that is low water usage, will provide job opportunities for people in the community and will increase our production of renewable energy."

The resolution signed by Nye County Commission Chairman Joni Eastley said the county has been unfairly penalized by federal intrusions in the past with 98 percent of the county under federal management, resulting in a loss of opportunities for activities such as mining and recreation.

There's also contamination from nuclear testing on the Nevada Test Site, the county stated.

The resolution said 2.6 million acres in Nye County had been withdrawn for Nellis Air Force Base, the Nevada Test Site, Death Valley National Park, national wildlife refuges and Indian reservations.

The resolution said it's also unfair to lump all counties in the six western states under the proposed moratorium.

"Nye County notes the need for transmission lines to move the energy from the rural areas, where production is proposed, to the majority of users who are located in urban areas. This element is critical to the success of a large scale solar energy development program," the resolution stated.