GINA B. GOOD / PVT Bill Dolan, Vice Chairman of the Pahrump Town Board, spoke out about rules suspending VEA's solar hot water heater project. Advertisement

Pahrump Town Board Vice Chairman Bill Dolan has never made any bones about being an outspoken proponent of alternative energy sources, including solar, wind and geothermal.

So it comes as no surprise that he is outraged about Valley Electric Associations' forced shut-down of its solar hot water heater project due to fees and permits that apparently were not made known to VEA management until this week.

Dolan said, "One person has virtually shut this program completely down," but declined to name the individual.

Dolan said, "This action was done without the consent or knowledge of the county commissioners and county manager."

He added County Manager Rick Osborne said that he will work with all parties to continue the program for the benefit of the community.

"This isn't just a VEA problem, this is a problem for our town," said Dolan, adding that other organizations are heavily involved and invested in the solar water heater program. "We have moved forward and brought Great Basin College to the table along with Desert Research Institute, UNLV, UNR, Truckee Meadows and the College of Southern Nevada to not only teach people who are out of work but other residents within the town who want to better themselves and get a good paying job.

"The community college has already spent just under $50,000 to take care of this program and the college stands to lose $1.5 million over the life of this training program.

Dolan said, "Some numbers were crunched. Last week we saw the community center packed full of people who were looking for jobs. Three hundred people applied for 50 to 100 jobs. With those 50 to 100 people being hired for work, that would have added a $5 million price tag to payroll in this town, with $1 million going into taxes.

Over a 20-year period, that program was slated to save the residents and members of VEA $34 million.

"I encourage everyone to contact the county commissioners and the county manager to give them the support they need. Tell them to fix this problem. Now."