Nearly 300 industry leaders gathered in Reno on August 5 and 6 for the Geothermal Energy Association (GEA) National Geothermal Summit. The leading forum for Western State policy discussions, the National Geothermal Summit brought together the industry for a dialogue with state and federal policy makers. The industry met to discuss such issues as moving geothermal forward in Nevada; utility perspective on renewable portfolio standards and geothermal; the future of the renewable portfolio standard (RPS); tax incentive perspectives; achieving the potential of the Salton Sea and Salton Sea Restoration Initiative; protecting the existing industry base; and regulatory matters including leasing, permitting, and sage grouse habitat considerations.

Notable speakers provided keynote addresses throughout the agenda, including: Senator Kelvin Atkinson, Nevada Senate District 4; Assemblyman David Bobzien, Nevada Assembly 21; Rebecca Wagner, Commissioner, Public Utilities Commission of Nevada; Karen Edson, Vice President, Policy and Client Services, California ISO; Rob Oglesby, Executive Director, California Energy Commission; and Doug Hollett, Program Director, U.S. Department of Energy Geothermal Technologies Office. Senators Harry Reid and Dean Heller provided Video Greetings.