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111-629: The project went through several delays and faced opposition from senator Harry Reid , as well as concerned environmental groups and the National Park Service , which believed that the plant would diminish air quality and affect the wildlife at the nearby Great Basin National Park . Supporters of the project included Nevada governor Jim Gibbons , the Ely Shoshone Tribe , and some Ely city officials. LS Power postponed

222-590: A $ 3.8 billion budget to rebuild 100 miles of the railway so it could connect with an existing Union Pacific rail line. LS Power, which also helped cover the cost to purchase the railway, also planned to use it for transporting coal to its White Pine Energy Station. By April 2007, analysts believed that only one coal plant would be built in White Pine County, with the Ely Energy Center being considered as more likely to proceed. In June 2007,

333-408: A $ 30 billion planned golf course development, Coyote Springs , a project heavily criticized by environmental groups for reasons including its projected effects on several endangered species. Whittemore served a two-year prison sentence after being found guilty in 2013 of funneling $ 133,400 in illegal contributions to Reid's reelection campaign. Reid scored a lifetime conservative rating of 19% from

444-518: A $ 5 billion coal plant, in White Pine County 's Steptoe Valley , north of the city of Ely . The project was to be built on land that was controlled by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The project was part of the company's plan to lower its reliance on natural gas . The Ely Energy Center would be the largest power plant in the state, and the largest energy project in the state since

555-687: A 60-vote bar for passage of bills without a Democratic filibuster . Conservatives criticized Reid for his extensive use of the procedural tactic known as " Filling the tree " to prevent amendments on important bills. In 2007, while he was the Senate Majority Leader, Reid initiated the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program to study unidentified flying objects at the urging of Reid's friend, Nevada billionaire and governmental contractor Robert Bigelow , and with support from

666-402: A company he claimed manufactured the device, alleging the device was defective. In 2019, a jury rejected his claim for lack of evidence. On May 14, 2018, Reid had surgery for pancreatic cancer at Johns Hopkins Cancer Center after a tumor was found on his pancreas during a routine screening. In a January 2019 interview with The New York Times , it was revealed that he was confined to

777-420: A complete review of project and study other possible power alternatives. Nevada Power suggested waiting until 2010 to do a full study, as new laws regarding carbon dioxide pollution were expected to be enacted by then. In November 2008, Reid requested that Gibbons "join with me in putting Nevada quickly on a cleaner plat toward a renewable energy and efficiency driven economy and safer future." In December 2008,

888-497: A desk at his home and was unable to move without the aid of a walker. Upon his diagnosis, he said: "As soon as you discover you have something on your pancreas, you're dead." On February 25, 2019, he announced that due to early detection and chemotherapy , his cancer was in remission. Ely Energy Center The Ely Energy Center was a proposed coal-fired power plant that was to be built in Steptoe Valley , north of

999-541: A long-term customer of LS Power's White Pine Energy Station (also proposed for the Steptoe Valley) and Sithe Global's Toquop Energy Project (proposed near Mesquite, Nevada ) as bond rating agencies perceive long-term power contracts to be a liability for utility companies, while company-owned plants are treated as assets. Sierra Pacific Resources planned to finance the project through stocks and bonds. Construction

1110-592: A man and a woman", but abandoned that position in favor of same-sex marriage in 2012. In regard to local issues, Reid firmly opposed construction of the proposed Yucca Mountain federal nuclear waste repository in Nevada. Reid initially opposed the legalization of online poker , but in 2010 it was reported his position had evolved – a move some argued was influenced by "the hundreds of thousands of dollars Las Vegas casinos contributed to his re-election campaign ". Reid called immigration reform one of his priorities at

1221-465: A member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . On January 1, 2015, Reid was injured while exercising in his home—he said a piece of equipment he was using broke (later "slipped"), causing him to fall. As a result, he suffered broken ribs and broken facial bones, and was at risk of permanent vision loss in his right eye. On January 26, 2015, he underwent surgery to remove a blood clot from his right eye and repair facial bones. He later sued

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1332-532: A net worth of between $ 2.9 million and $ 9.3 million. Most of Reid's net worth was in municipal securities and in land and mineral rights in southern Nevada and Arizona; a blind trust managed the liquid assets of Reid and his wife. Reid lived in the Anthem area of Henderson, Nevada . Reid (who was raised agnostic ) and his wife (who was born to Jewish immigrant parents and grew up in Henderson) converted to

1443-674: A police officer for the United States Capitol Police , and he earned his Juris Doctor in 1964. Reid returned to Nevada after law school and served as Henderson city attorney before being elected to the Nevada Assembly for the multi-member fourth district of Clark County in 1968. In 1970, at age 30, Reid was chosen by O'Callaghan as his running mate for Lieutenant Governor of Nevada . Reid and O'Callaghan won their respective races, and Reid served as lieutenant governor from 1971 until 1974, when he ran for

1554-484: A polished figure in Washington. That is not Harry Reid." Reid was known for his skills in political organizing and getting out the vote , and his voter coalition known as the "Reid Machine" was credited with being the driving force behind several statewide Democratic wins, including Hillary Clinton in the 2016 United States presidential election in Nevada and Catherine Cortez Masto 's election to succeed Reid in

1665-561: A question about the impact (of additional carbon dioxide) on coral in the Gulf of Mexico ." In January 2008, the Ely Shoshone Tribe announced support for both coal plants, considering them to be an economic necessity. In February 2008, LS Power offered to compensate White Pine County for the amount of water it would use for the plant. In May 2008, the National Parks Conservation Association stated that

1776-539: A renewable energy and efficiency driven economy and safer future." On December 17, 2008, Dynegy denied that the White Pine Energy Station was in jeopardy after an earlier report stated that the company was reevaluating its development of new power plants. On December 22, 2008, the BLM approved the project to be built on the land. However, Mark Milburn, director of project development at LS Power, expected

1887-494: A restricted right to abortion, stating that "abortions should be legal only when the pregnancy resulted from incest, rape, or when the life of the woman is endangered ". He voted several times to ban the intact dilation and evacuation , or "partial-birth abortion" procedure. Reid supported embryonic stem cell research . Over the time, Reid shifted his support towards more progressive views. Regarding same-sex marriage , Reid initially believed that "marriage should be between

1998-483: A scaled-down version of the plant had increased from an estimated $ 600 million to more than $ 1 billion, while the facility in its fully developed form could cost over $ 3 billion. In December 2007, LS Power was awaiting final approval of a draft air permit, which was delayed while the EPA reviewed concerns from an environmental group about the project threatening endangered species. EPA spokesman Dante Pistone said, "It involves

2109-615: A speech at Brigham Young University to about 4,000 students on October 9, 2007, in which he expressed his opinion that Democratic values mirror Mormon values. Several Republican Mormons in Utah contested his faith because of his politics, such as his statements that the church's backing of California's Proposition 8 wasted resources. Reid was the co-chairman of the Board of Selectors of Jefferson Awards for Public Service . In April 2015, Reid confirmed former U.S. Senator Larry Pressler as

2220-469: A spokesman for the companies said they did not expect to receive opposition from the National Park Service , which had recently voiced opposition to the White Pine Energy Station for its possible environmental effects on the nearby Great Basin National Park . David Sims, project director of development for the Ely Energy Center, said the project would use superior air quality controls that would result in significantly lower sulfur dioxide emissions compared to

2331-483: A video to his YouTube account announcing that he would not seek reelection in November 2016. Reid endorsed Senator Chuck Schumer from New York to succeed him as Minority Leader. Former Nevada Attorney General and fellow Democrat Catherine Cortez Masto was elected to succeed Reid as a U.S. senator from Nevada. On January 1, 2017, two days before the end of his term, Reid surpassed Senator John P. Jones to become

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2442-568: A way of minimizing environmental effects, while hybrid cooling would be used to reduce the amount of water required to keep the plants cool. Additionally, the company had plans to ultimately build two 500-megawatt coal gasification plants at the Ely Energy Center, as soon as such technology became commercially viable. The gasification plants would cost $ 2 billion to construct. The four plants would be capable of producing up to 2,500 megawatts, enough to provide electricity to 1.7 million households. Sierra Pacific Resources had previously declined to be

2553-492: Is going on" and stated that "hundreds and hundreds of papers" have been available since the program was completed and that "Most all of it, 80 percent at least, is public" adding "I wanted it public, it was made public, and you guys have not even looked at it." A 2009 letter by Reid was published by KLAS-TV investigative journalists George Knapp and Matt Adams, where the Senator states that AATIP has made "much progress" with

2664-480: The Los Angeles Times suggested that Reid had introduced legislation and imposed pressure on regulatory agencies to advance the business interests of his close friend Harvey Whittemore , a Nevada attorney-lobbyist who contributed heavily to Reid's campaigns and leadership fund and who employed Reid's son Leif as his personal attorney. With Reid's help, Whittemore was able to proceed with construction of

2775-598: The 111th Congress , Reid shepherded the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) through the Senate. Reid was initially a centrist Democrat, and he held anti-abortion views and supported gun rights and opposed illegal immigration . He was considered fiscally liberal and socially conservative. He believed that Roe v. Wade should be overturned, and in 1999, voted against an amendment that supported Roe . In 1998, he stated that he believed in

2886-693: The American Conservative Union (ACU), and a 2008 liberal rating of 70% from the Americans for Democratic Action (ADA). Other independent ratings include a 29% rating in 2003 from NARAL , the abortion rights lobbyists , an 85% rating from Planned Parenthood in 2013, and a "B" rating from the NRA Political Victory Fund . Reid spearheaded several initiatives while in Congress. In 2006, Reid co-sponsored

2997-583: The Colorado River , among other projects, "incredibly good news for Nevada" in a news release after the passage of the 2006 transportation bill. He owned 160 acres (65 ha) of land several miles from the proposed bridge site in Arizona. The bridge could add value to his real estate investment. A year later it was reported that Reid had used campaign donations to pay for $ 3,300 in Christmas gifts to

3108-422: The Ely Shoshone Tribe , and some Ely city officials. The project was postponed for three and a half years in November 2007, due to delays from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in issuing an environmental impact statement (EIS). In February 2009, the project was delayed for approximately 10 years, until the technology to capture and store carbon dioxide pollution would become commercially feasible. The decision

3219-512: The John McCain campaign in 2008, when he was being vetted for the vice-presidential nomination. McCain said, "[n]othing in these tax returns showed that he did not pay taxes." In a 2015 interview on the subject, Reid said "Romney didn't win, did he?" The following year, Reid called the attack "one of the best things I've ever done," while reiterating that Romney had not released his tax returns. In 2021, Reid stated in an interview that after

3330-737: The Obama administration , such as the Affordable Care Act , the Dodd–Frank Act , and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 . In 2013, under Reid's leadership, the Senate Democratic majority controversially invoked the " nuclear option " to eliminate the 60-vote requirement to end a filibuster for presidential nominations , other than nominations to the U.S. Supreme Court . Republicans took control of

3441-671: The Senate Democratic Caucus from 2005 to 2017 and was the Senate Majority Leader from 2007 to 2015. After earning an undergraduate degree from Utah State University and a Juris Doctor degree from George Washington University , Reid began his public career as the city attorney for Henderson, Nevada , before being elected to the Nevada Assembly in 1968. Gubernatorial candidate Mike O'Callaghan , Reid's former boxing coach, chose Reid as his running mate in 1970 ; following their victory Reid served as

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3552-576: The U.S. Supreme Court . A 3/5 supermajority was still required to end filibusters unrelated to those nominees, such as for legislation and Supreme Court nominees. The Democrats' stated motivation for the " nuclear option " was expansion of filibustering by Republicans during the Obama administration , in particular blocking three nominations to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit . Reid's invocation of

3663-604: The United States House of Representatives , but population growth in the 1970s resulted in the state picking up a second district. Reid won the Democratic nomination for the 1st district , based in Las Vegas, in 1982, and easily won the general election. He was re-elected in 1984 . Reid was instrumental in the establishment of Great Basin National Park , sponsoring the bill creating it in 1986 and ensuring

3774-566: The concurrent Senate election . A veteran of the Reid political machine, Megan K. Jones , has gone on to be a senior advisor to Vice President and 2024 Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris . Harry Reid (formerly McCarran) International Airport , which serves the Las Vegas Valley , was named after Senator Reid on December 14, 2021, just two weeks prior to his death. Reid met his wife, Landra Gould, in high school. Gould

3885-481: The longest-serving U.S. Senator from Nevada . From 1999 to 2005, Reid served as Senate Democratic Whip , as minority whip from 1999 to 2001, and again from 2003 to 2005. Reid was majority whip from 2001 to 2003, except for a brief period from January to June 2001. He was the ranking member of the Environment and Public Works Committee in from January to June 2001 (succeeding Max Baucus ) before relinquishing

3996-468: The "identification of several highly sensitive, unconventional aerospace-related findings" that will "likely lead to technology advancements" and recommends the creation of a special access program for specific parts of AATIP. On November 21, 2013, under Reid's tenure as Majority Leader, the Democratic majority Senate voted 52–48 to eliminate the 60-vote requirement to end a filibuster against all executive branch nominees and judicial nominees other than to

4107-485: The 110th Congress. He supported the DREAM Act (Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act), which would give certain high school graduates who had arrived in the U.S. illegally, conditional legal status so they could attend college or enlist in the military. They could then obtain permanent legal residency after completing two years of military service or two years of college. Reid supported use of force in

4218-605: The 2007 documentary film Sand and Sorrow , which details the genocide in Sudan . Reid was elected to the Gaming Hall of Fame in 2001. In 2013, adviser Jim Margolis said of Reid, "He is unique in this city. And you see it in so many different ways. Is he the best TV talking head? No. He'd be the first to tell you that. Should he smile more? Yes. Should he say goodbye on the phone when he's done talking to you? Probably. But those are things you'd assume are part and parcel of

4329-541: The 2012 election he and Mitt Romney and their wives met privately and reconciled, with Reid concluding that "I admire Mitt Romney. I think he's a very very fine human being." Part of Reid's confrontation with Frank Rosenthal while chair of the Nevada Gaming Commission is reenacted in the 1995 movie Casino . Reid had a role in the movie Traffic (2000), in which he played himself. He appeared, with Senators Sam Brownback and Barack Obama , in

4440-547: The 25th lieutenant governor of Nevada from 1971 to 1975. After being defeated in races for the United States Senate and mayor of Las Vegas , Reid served as chairman of the Nevada Gaming Commission from 1977 to 1981. From 1983 to 1987, Reid represented Nevada's 1st district in the United States House of Representatives . Reid was elected to the United States Senate in 1986 and served in

4551-491: The BLM issued a draft EIS for the project, while NV Energy suspected that a final decision from the BLM was another year away. The project was also still awaiting a final air permit from the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection. The first power unit was expected to become operational by 2015, followed by the second unit a year later. On February 3, 2009, NV Energy chief executive officer Michael Yackira said

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4662-454: The BLM's approval of the project. On February 27, 2009, after the Ely Energy Center was indefinitely delayed, Milburn said the White Pine Energy Station was "moving full speed ahead", stating, "We're at the final steps." On March 5, 2009, LS Power announced that it was indefinitely postponing construction on the White Pine Energy Station due to a declining economy and increasing uncertainty regarding regulations. Reaction from local residents to

4773-528: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints while he was a college student. In a 2001 interview he said, "I think it is much easier to be a good member of the Church and a Democrat than a good member of the Church and a Republican." He went on to say that the Democrats' emphasis on helping others, as opposed to what he considered Republican dogma to the contrary, is the reason he was a Democrat. He delivered

4884-514: The Democratic nomination with 75% of the vote in the June 8 primary. He then faced a very competitive race for the U.S. Senate in Nevada in the 2010 general election . Reid engaged in a $ 1 million media campaign to "reintroduce himself" to the state's voters. He defeated Republican challenger Sharron Angle in the November election, 50.3% to 44.6%. In January 2015, Reid suffered severe injuries in an exercise accident. On March 27, 2015, Reid uploaded

4995-547: The Ely Energy Center for a year to conduct further research, as the current version of the plant would produce large amounts of carbon dioxide . In November 2006, the Public Utilities Commission gave the companies permission to spend $ 300 million to begin developing the transmission line and the $ 3.7 billion Ely Energy Center. Nevada Power Company was to pay 80 percent of the cost for the 1,500-megawatt energy center, while Sierra Pacific Resources would pay

5106-727: The Middle East, but in September 2007, called for a drastic change in strategy. In January 1991, Reid voted to authorize the first Gulf War , quoting John F. Kennedy 's 1963 State of the Union speech on the Senate floor, saying "the mere absence of war is not peace." He also voted in support of the 2003 invasion of Iraq . In March 2007, he voted in favor of "redeploying U.S. troops out of Iraq by March 2008", and later that year, said, "As long as we follow [President Bush's] path in Iraq,

5217-650: The Prevention First Amendment with Hillary Clinton , which would fund abortion prevention efforts such as giving women broader access to contraception. The bill faced Republican opposition and failed. In January 2007, Reid brought a Senate ethics reform bill to a vote to bar congressional members from accepting gifts, meals, and trips from lobbyists and organizations employing lobbyists, to bar Senators from borrowing corporate jets for travel, and to compel Senators to disclose names of sponsors, or authors, of bills and projects. The bill passed 96–2. In

5328-485: The Public Utilities Commission staff and the attorney general's Bureau of Consumer Protection, recommended that Nevada Power and Sierra Pacific Resources end development of the project, which had increased in cost from $ 3.8 billion to $ 5 billion. In September 2008, the attorney general and Nevadans for a Clean, Affordable, Reliable Energy, an environmental group, believed that Nevada Power should do

5439-481: The Senate Republicans had previously refused to take up Merrick Garland 's nomination by President Obama in 2016. Reid was criticized during his tenure for several potentially self-enriching tactics. In 2005, Reid earmarked a spending bill to provide for building a bridge between Nevada and Arizona that would make land he owned more valuable. Reid called funding for the construction of a bridge over

5550-483: The Senate following the 2014 United States Senate elections , and Reid served as Senate Minority Leader from 2015 until his retirement in 2017. Reid is Nevada's longest-serving senator, surpassing John P. Jones 's record by two days. Reid was succeeded as the Senate Democratic leader by Chuck Schumer , whose leadership bid had been endorsed by Reid. Along with Alben W. Barkley and Mike Mansfield , Reid

5661-484: The Senate from 1987 to 2017. He served as the Senate Democratic whip from 1999 to 2005 before succeeding Tom Daschle as Senate Minority Leader. The Democrats won control of the Senate after the 2006 United States Senate elections , and Reid became the Senate Majority Leader in 2007. He held that position for the final two years of George W. Bush 's presidency and for the first six years of Barack Obama 's presidency. As majority leader, Reid helped pass major legislation of

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5772-520: The U.S. Senate seat that was being vacated by Alan Bible . He lost by fewer than 700 votes to former governor Paul Laxalt . In 1975, Reid ran for mayor of Las Vegas and lost to Bill Briare . Reid served as chairman of the Nevada Gaming Commission from 1977 to 1981. When Jack Gordon offered Reid a $ 12,000 bribe to get approval of new games for casinos, Reid brought in the FBI to tape Gordon's bribery attempt and arrest him. After FBI agents interrupted

5883-490: The White Pine County Commission on March 8, 2006. In May 2006, LS Power stated that consumers of electrical power in Nevada would save $ 600 million over a three-year period if Nevada Power Company and Sierra Pacific Power would purchase power from the White Pine Energy Station rather than building their own coal plant. In September 2006, environmental groups testified that the companies should delay

5994-620: The White Pine Energy Station rather than building their own coal plant; the two companies rejected LS Power's proposal. In July 2006, LS Power expected to have permits for the plant by early 2007. In October 2006, LS Power announced a joint venture with energy producer Dynegy to combine the two companies. LS Power acquired 40 percent of Dynegy in early 2007. In March 2007, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) stated that LS Power should provide additional documentation about technology

6105-563: The White Pine Energy Station to Las Vegas, although LS Power planned to build the transmission line regardless of whether the coal plant got built. The BLM's final EIS, originally expected to be released in August 2008, was instead released that October. LS Power had yet to receive a final air permit, as the EPA was busy determining whether the plant complied with the Endangered Species Act . LS Power stated that construction of

6216-533: The White Pine Energy Station. In July 2007, Harry Reid said he would fight the development of the two coal projects. Ely city officials expressed disappointment with Reid's position. Nevada governor Jim Gibbons , a supporter of the two coal plants, reaffirmed his support for the projects after Reid's comment. At the end of the month, seven groups submitted a petition to the Nevada Environmental Commission requesting that permits for

6327-447: The ability to produce 500 to 800 megawatts of capacity, with the potential to be expanded to 1,600 megawatts. Construction was scheduled to begin in 2006, with the possibility of the project being operational in 2010. Approximately 600 construction workers were expected to work on the project, and 100 workers would be employed at the station upon its completion. The project would be built at a cost of $ 600 million to $ 1 billion. The project

6438-421: The accusation on the Senate floor on August 2, 2012. According to CBS News , Romney stated, "Let me also say, categorically, I have paid taxes every year – and a lot of taxes. So Harry is simply wrong." PolitiFact.com 's Truth-O-Meter rated the accusation as "Pants on Fire!" The Washington Post ' s Fact Checker gave it "Four Pinnocchios". CBS reported that Romney had submitted 23 years of tax returns to

6549-515: The aftermath of publicity surrounding the AATIP, Reid expressed pride in his accomplishment, and was quoted as saying "I think it's one of the good things I did in my congressional service. I've done something that no one has done before." Reid explained the reasoning behind his sponsorship of the program by saying "I'm interested in science, and in helping the American public understand what the hell

6660-512: The city of Ely and located in White Pine County, Nevada . The plant was proposed by Nevada Power Company and Sierra Pacific Resources in January 2006. Construction was to begin on a 750-megawatt power unit in 2007, with completion by 2011. A second 750-megawatt unit was to be built within a few years after the first one, with a total cost of $ 3.8 billion. The companies also planned to ultimately add two 500-megawatt coal gasification plants to

6771-689: The city of Ely to purchase the railroad line by providing a payment. Development director Lawrence Willick said White Pine County officials were enthusiastic about the power plant, saying, "Their economy has been so dependent on mining and the ups and downs of mining." Willick noted the potential for the plant to be linked to Sierra Pacific Power Company 's nearby transmission grid, allowing the plant to serve utilities and cooperatives in northern Nevada and Utah, although discussions had not yet been held with Sierra Pacific Power. Beginning in June 2004, project manager Eric W. Crawford spent five weeks meeting with numerous agencies, people, and politicians to progress

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6882-413: The company planned to use to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions. The EPA also requested further analysis of the proposed plant's effect on visibility. By April 2007, analysts believed that only one coal plant would be built in the county, with the Ely Energy Center being considered as more likely to proceed. By May 2007, after receiving public comments on the project, LS Power had reduced the amount of water

6993-708: The conference. In 2015, Reid received a lifetime achievement award from the League of Conservation Voters , and the following year he was honored by the Conservation Lands Foundation for "historic contributions to conservation." During the summer of 2012, Reid said in an interview with The Huffington Post that he had received information from an unidentified investor in Bain Capital that presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney did not pay any taxes for 10 years. He repeated

7104-591: The construction of Hoover Dam . The first power unit, capable of producing 750 megawatts, was to be operational by 2011. A 250-mile transmission line would accompany the energy center, to bring electricity from the plant to northern and southern Nevada . A second 750-megawatt plant would be completed within a few years after the first one. Both units, to be built at a total cost of $ 3 billion, were to utilize water-conserving technology and "supercritical" technology capable of burning coal efficiently at high temperatures. The company would also use clean coal technology as

7215-498: The country. The community is very supportive and actually desires a project like this in (the) region." One of the National Park Service's primary concerns was LS Power's intention to use dry scrubbers at the plant to reduce sulfur dioxide pollution rather than wet scrubbers , which are preferred by the park service. Crawford said dry scrubbers were more advantageous. Another concern was that acid rain could destroy

7326-450: The decision to be appealed by environmental groups. Jon Summers, spokesman for Reid, said, "LS Power would be wiser and more helpful to its own investors to withdraw the proposal to build an enormous coal plant to import millions of tons of coal, pollute Nevada's skies and sell its power to other states, and instead focus on developing clean renewable power in our state as rapidly as possible." On January 2, 2009, Dynegy and LS Power announced

7437-463: The delay to the BLM, which had yet to issue an environmental impact statement (EIS). The BLM had expected to issue the EIS by summer 2008, but no longer expected to meet the deadline as it was also busy reviewing other projects. The company no longer expected to complete the first 750-megawatt unit by 2011, and did not set a new deadline for its completion. Reid praised the decision to delay construction of

7548-792: The designation of about 5.1 million acres (21,000 km ) of U.S. federal land in Nevada as protected land, shielding them from development. Among these were the Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument , the Basin and Range National Monument , and the Gold Butte National Monument . Reid was also the champion of the Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act, 1998 legislation that has redirected more than $ 4 billion in proceeds from

7659-586: The end of their partnership in developing the White Pine Energy Station, as well as other new projects, including the proposed transmission line, known as the Southwest Intertie Project. LS Power planned to continue both projects, of which they would have full ownership and development rights. Milburn expected the project to receive a final air permit early in the year, as well as approval from the Public Utilities Commission by April 2009. On January 21, 2009, environmental groups filed an appeal of

7770-419: The first 720-megawatt phase of the project could begin in late 2009, as long as the company received the air permit and other necessary government approvals. As of November 2008, LS Power was awaiting a record of decision from the BLM and a final permit from the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection. Later that month, Reid requested that Gibbons "join with me in putting Nevada quickly on a cleaner plat toward

7881-497: The following year. In August 2005, Crawford said state permit applications would be filed within several months, while work on the EIS was also ongoing. In December 2005, LS Power filed for an air permit with the Nevada Department of Environmental Protection, as it was required for the plant. The BLM was expected to release an EIS for the power plant in 2006. In January 2006, Crawford said the project would proceed despite

7992-489: The late senators Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) and Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii). The program began in the DIA in 2007 and was budgeted $ 22 million over its five years of operation. The United States Air Force facility Homey Airport, commonly known as Area 51, is located on Groom Lake in Reid's home state of Nevada, and has been rumored to house materials allegedly retrieved from the 1947 Roswell UFO incident. When interviewed in

8103-511: The main contractor, with EDAW as a subcontractor. The plant was estimated, by the Nevada State Commission on Economic Development, to generate over $ 100 million in tax revenue during construction and the first six years of its operation. In December 2004, Crawford said the power plant was on schedule as the company was preparing the EIS and focusing on obtaining right-of-ways from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The EIS

8214-418: The midst of a statewide Republican sweep. In 2004 , Reid won reelection with 61 percent of the vote, defeating Richard Ziser . Ensign was elected to Nevada's other Senate seat in 2000. Ensign and Reid had a very good relationship despite their bitter contest in 1998. The two frequently worked together on Nevada issues until Ensign resigned his Senate seat in 2011 due to an ethics scandal. In 2010, Reid won

8325-436: The nearby area. In July 2007, senator Harry Reid said he would fight the development of the two coal projects. Ely city officials expressed disappointment with Reid's position. Nevada governor Jim Gibbons , a supporter of the two coal plants, reaffirmed his support for the projects after Reid's comment. At the end of the month, seven groups submitted a petition to the Nevada Environmental Commission requesting that permits for

8436-575: The nuclear option on judicial nominations was controversial as, on April 6, 2017, Senate Republicans similarly invoked the nuclear option to remove the Supreme Court exception created in 2013, allowing the Trump administration to appoint Justices on party lines. This was after Senate Democrats filibustered the nomination of Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court of the United States and after

8547-413: The park's limestone caves. Crawford hoped for construction to begin in 2008, after the regulatory process was expected to be completed. By that time, the plant was to consist of three units, each one producing 530 megawatts. In June 2007, the EPA wrote to the BLM that its draft EIS for the proposed project was lacking information that would help the EPA fully determine the impacts that the plant would have on

8658-619: The position to allow Jim Jeffords to switch parties and become chair, having given Democrats the majority. From 2001 to 2003, he served as chairman of the Senate Ethics Committee . Reid succeeded Tom Daschle as Minority Leader in 2005; he became Majority Leader after the 2006 election until 2015. He was again Minority Leader until his retirement in 2017 and was succeeded by Chuck Schumer . Liberal critics argued that Reid allowed Senate Republicans to create

8769-533: The postponement was mixed. A July 2009 report from the Government Accountability Office confirmed that air quality and visibility at Great Basin National Park would be affected if either of the coal plants were built. Harry Reid Harry Mason Reid Jr. ( / r iː d / ; December 2, 1939 – December 28, 2021) was an American lawyer and politician who served as a United States senator from Nevada from 1987 to 2017. He led

8880-424: The power would be sold to "investor-owned utilities, rural electric cooperatives and municipal electric utilities." In September 2007, Dynegy was among five companies that received subpoenas from New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo , who stated that Dynegy failed to disclose risks involved in the development of coal-fired plants, including the White Pine Energy Station. By November 2007, construction costs for

8991-507: The project "is going to be very difficult to build." On February 9, 2009, NV Energy announced that the project would be postponed for approximately 10 years, until the technology to capture and store carbon dioxide pollution would become commercially feasible. Yackira said the decision was due to rising construction costs and the possibility of the United States Congress enacting carbon emission tax laws, which would increase

9102-419: The project as soon as such technology became commercially viable. The total cost, upon full completion, would amount to $ 5 billion. The Ely Energy Center would have been the largest power plant in Nevada, and the state's largest energy project since the construction of Hoover Dam . The project faced opposition from environmental groups and senator Harry Reid , but was supported by Nevada governor Jim Gibbons ,

9213-504: The project for two years. In May 2008, the National Parks Conservation Association stated that the two coal plants would cause Great Basin National Park to suffer from acid rain pollution over time, ultimately harming the park's plants, fish, and other wildlife. The association also stated that the coal plants would affect air quality at the nearby Zion National Park in Utah. In August 2008, analysts for an environmental group, as well as

9324-541: The project indefinitely in March 2009, due to a declining economy and increasing uncertainty regarding regulations. The White Pine Energy Station was announced in February 2004, and was proposed by White Pine Energy Associates, LLC, a privately held subsidiary of LS Power. The company had previously developed nine natural-gas fired power plants. The new project would be a coal-fired power generation station, initially with

9435-495: The project was to use up to 8 billion U.S. gallons (30 million cubic meters) of groundwater each year. The close proximity of transmission lines was also considered beneficial. Also taken into consideration were plans by the city of Ely to own and operate the Nevada Northern Railway , as the plant would need a way to receive low-sulfur coal from Wyoming's Powder River Basin . LS Power ultimately helped

9546-459: The project's cost and make it unfeasible. The company planned to continue building the One Nevada transmission line , which was expected to be operational by late 2012 but became operational in 2014. Reid said, "I applaud NV Energy's decision to speed up the development of an important transmission line and to postpone construction of its Ely Energy Center coal plant." A July 2009 report from

9657-522: The project, which would ultimately employ between 100 and 130 plant workers. LS Power said it would begin construction only after wholesale customers signed long-term contracts to buy the power generated by the plant. In May 2005, the Ely City Council unanimously approved a resolution to support the project. The project's construction schedule remained on track as of June 2005, with permits, approvals, and project agreements expected to be obtained

9768-447: The project. In January 2008, the National Park Service stated that plans to build the energy center near Ely were "unacceptable" as it would harm the quality of the air and water at Great Basin National Park, as well as disrupt scenic views. That month, the Ely Shoshone Tribe announced support for both coal plants, considering them to be an economic necessity. In February 2008, the companies were expected to delay their application for

9879-483: The project. Several factors were taken into consideration when choosing a suitable site for the plant. In July 2004, LS Power chose a 1,300-acre (530 ha) site for the plant, located 21 miles north of McGill, Nevada , near Cherry Creek . The chosen site was located 34 miles north of Ely, in Steptoe Valley . A possible alternate site was also chosen for the project. Environmental impact statements (EIS) were underway in August 2004, after LS Power hired CH2M Hill as

9990-424: The proposed plant would use, from 25,000 acre-feet to 5,000 acre-feet. The reduction was made possible with the utilization of a hybrid cooling system. That month, in response to LS Power's application for an air quality permit, the National Park Service warned state environmental officials that the power plant would hamper views and kill trout at the nearby Great Basin National Park , located 60 miles southeast of

10101-406: The proposed plant. The National Park Service stated that LS Power should "assume a burden of protecting the resources in that park from the effects of its operations. That may mean 'going the extra mile' to employ advanced ... pollution control technology. If (the builder) is not willing to do so, it should consider an alternate location." Crawford said, "This will be one of the cleanest coal plants in

10212-463: The protection of Wheeler Peak and groves of bristlecone pine . In 1986 , Reid won the Democratic nomination for the seat of retiring two-term incumbent Republican Senator Paul Laxalt . Reid defeated former at-large U.S. Representative Jim Santini , a Democrat who had turned Republican, in the November election. Reid ran for reelection in 1992 which he won by a double-digit margin. In 1998 he narrowly defeated U.S. Representative John Ensign in

10323-467: The recent announcement of another coal plant, the Ely Energy Center , proposed by Sierra Pacific Resources. By May 2006, the White Pine Energy Station was expected to cost $ 3 billion. That month, LS Power stated that consumers of electrical power in Nevada would save $ 600 million over a three-year period if Nevada Power Company and its affiliate, Sierra Pacific Power, would purchase power from

10434-449: The remainder. Later that month, the companies applied for an air permit with the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection. In March 2007, Sierra Pacific Resources agreed to help the city of Ely purchase the Nevada Northern Railway by providing a $ 375,000 loan. The company intended to use the railroad to transport coal to the energy center from Montana and from Wyoming's Powder River Basin . The company planned to spend $ 40 million of

10545-550: The sale of public lands in Nevada to conservation initiatives, environmentally sensitive land acquisitions, new parks and trails, and capital projects for federal land management agencies. Reid was criticized as one of the main culprits for the failure of the 2009 United Nations Climate Change Conference , as the Democrats ' majority in Congress during that time had not been used to enact climate-protection legislation prior to

10656-516: The staff at the condominium where he resided; federal election law prohibits candidates from using political donations for personal use. Reid's staff stated that his campaign attorneys had approved this use of the funds, but that Reid would personally reimburse his campaign for the expenses. Citizens United filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission to investigate the matter. A series of investigative reports in

10767-669: The third of four sons of Harry Reid, a rock miner, and Inez Orena (Jaynes) Reid, a laundress for local brothels. At that time, Searchlight was a small, impoverished town. His father died of suicide in 1972, at the age of 58, when Harry was 32 years old. His paternal grandmother was an English immigrant from Darlaston, Staffordshire . Reid's boyhood home was a shack with no indoor toilet, hot water or telephone. Since Searchlight had no high school, Reid boarded with relatives 40 miles (64 km) away, in Henderson , so that he could attend Basic High School , where he played football and

10878-596: The transaction, as prearranged, Reid lost his temper and attempted to choke Gordon, saying "You son of a bitch, you tried to bribe me!" before agents stopped him. Gordon was convicted in 1979 and sentenced to six months in prison. Reid presided over the 1979 hearing that refused to issue a gaming license to casino operator Frank Rosenthal because of his ties to organized crime groups such as the Chicago Outfit and particularly his close personal association with mobster Anthony Spilotro . Reid later stated that "Rosenthal

10989-496: The two coal plants be delayed until the commission enacted new limits on the amount of pollution allowed by such plants. A hearing on the matter was set for September 7, 2007. On November 28, 2007, Nevada Power announced that the project would be delayed for three and a half years because of regulatory review, while Sierra Pacific Resources planned to build a new natural gas-fired power plant near Las Vegas to keep up with demand in southern Nevada. Sierra Pacific Resources attributed

11100-456: The two coal plants be delayed until the commission enacted new limits on the amount of pollution allowed by such plants. A hearing on the matter was set for September 7, 2007. In August 2007, the BLM was revising the project's EIS. At the time, Crawford said the project did not yet have a customer to purchase the power that would be generated by the 1,590-megawatt plant, which would provide enough power for nearly 1.2 million households. Crawford said

11211-486: The two coal plants would cause Great Basin National Park to suffer from acid rain pollution over time, ultimately harming the park's plants, fish, and other wildlife. The association also stated that the coal plants would affect air quality at the nearby Zion National Park in Utah. In August 2008, the BLM approved LS Power to build a transmission line that would connect electrical grids located in northern and southern Nevada . The transmission line would carry power from

11322-601: The war is lost." Reid was a strong advocate of recognizing the Armenian genocide . Reid was a staunch defender of Obamacare both online and in speeches. He advocated outlawing prostitution in Nevada . On May 15, 2013, Reid revealed to reporters that his niece is a lesbian as he spoke about his hope that the Employment Non-Discrimination Act would be signed into law. Reid supported land conservation in Nevada. He successfully secured

11433-478: Was an amateur boxer . While at Basic High, he met future Nevada governor Mike O'Callaghan , who was a teacher there and served as Reid's boxing coach. Reid attended Southern Utah University and graduated from Utah State University in 1961, where he double-majored in political science and history. He also minored in economics at Utah State's School of Commerce and Business Administration . He then attended George Washington University Law School while working as

11544-455: Was expected to begin in 2007. The project would provide up to 2,000 construction jobs, and 300 permanent jobs upon completion. Sierra Pacific Resources stated that the project could make the company an additional $ 90 million in its first year. Officials of Utah's Hill Air Force Base had concerns that the coal plant could interfere with training flights in the Ely area. The project was presented to

11655-603: Was from a Jewish family and her parents objected to the relationship because Reid was not Jewish. The two eloped in 1959 when they were in college. The Reids had five children; a daughter and four sons. Their eldest son, Rory , was an elected commissioner for Clark County, Nevada , of which he became chairman, and 2010 Democratic nominee in the election for Governor of Nevada . Another son, Josh Reid, unsuccessfully sought municipal office in Cottonwood Heights, Utah . In 2014 financial disclosure reports, Reid reported

11766-401: Was made due to the possibility of the United States Congress enacting carbon emission tax laws, which would increase the project's cost and make it unfeasible. Rising construction costs were also a factor in delaying the project. On January 10, 2006, utility company Sierra Pacific Resources – the parent company of Nevada Power Company – announced plans to construct the Ely Energy Center,

11877-471: Was one of only three senators to have served at least eight years as majority leader. Harry Reid International Airport , which serves the Las Vegas Valley , was named after Reid on December 14, 2021, two weeks before his death from cancer. The airport was previously named after Pat McCarran , one of Reid's Senate predecessors. Harry Mason Reid Jr. was born on December 2, 1939, in Searchlight, Nevada ,

11988-422: Was still being worked on in March 2005, while LS Power remained focused on the same site despite concerns about air quality being affected by the plant. In April 2005, Crawford said construction could cost up to $ 2 billion, depending on the size of the project. Construction was to begin in phases beginning in 2006, with the first phase possibly operational by 2010. Up to 1,200 construction workers would be employed on

12099-441: Was the only person that I was ever afraid of." Rosenthal loudly and publicly confronted Reid after the hearing, telling gathered reporters that he had performed many personal favors for Reid. Reid conceded under heated interrogation from Rosenthal that the two men had met for lunch at his Stardust Resort and Casino and that he had asked Rosenthal to cover up undesirable news stories. FBI wiretaps captured mobsters claiming that Reid

12210-488: Was to be built in White Pine County, Nevada , north of the Ely area. Permits and approval for the project had not yet been obtained at the time of the announcement, as several sites north of Ely were still being considered. The Ely area had been chosen after a statewide search. The company liked Ely for its "progressive attitude," as well as the availability of water for cooling the coal-powered plant. Upon initially being proposed,

12321-421: Was under their control, causing governor Robert List to feel pressure to ask Reid to resign. However, List believed Reid's assertions that the accusations were baseless. In 1981, Reid's wife found a bomb attached to the family station wagon; Reid suspected it was placed by Rosenthal or Gordon, although this has never been proven in court. Before the 1980 Census , Nevada had only a single at-large member of

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