Gerlach CAB to consider letter supporting DOE microgrid technical‑assistance application

Brian Beffert asked the Gerlach Citizens Advisory Board to endorse Washoe County’s application to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Community Microgrid Assistance Partnership (CMAP) to develop engineering schematics and investment plans for a solar electric microgrid and a geothermal district‑heating microgrid.

The request came during the board’s regular meeting when Beffert summarized past work in Gerlach, including a solar microgrid feasibility study by the University of Nevada, Reno’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and an older geothermal district‑heating feasibility study. Beffert said the next step is “to develop detailed engineering schematics and investment plans, so we can, make these happen.” He described the DOE CMAP award as a technical‑assistance opportunity that would help the community move from feasibility studies to fundable designs.

The microgrids the county is studying are meant to reduce greenhouse‑gas emissions, lower energy bills and create a battery backup for the community center and other buildings, Beffert said. He told the board the town’s electric grid is “fragile” and that propane is currently the primary source for heat — statements he used to explain why technical assistance and a clear investment plan matter for long‑range resilience.

Beffert said he needs a letter of support from the Gerlach Citizens Advisory Board as part of the application and offered to provide a template. He read a draft letter during the meeting that described the community’s prior energy audit, the UNR solar microgrid feasibility study, and the geothermal study, and said CMAP “aligns perfect for our situation and needs.”

Tina Walters, chair of the Gerlach Citizens Advisory Board, praised the draft letter during the meeting and said the solar work “is what excites me” for the community center’s resilience. Christy Evans, vice chair, asked whether the CMAP award defines system size or generation type; Beffert replied that CMAP is primarily a technical‑assistance award that produces detailed plans the community can take to funders.

Board member Russell Byerley moved to approve the letters drafted by county staff, but the body did not vote on that motion at the meeting. Board members said a deadline at the end of the month required quicker action than the next regular meeting would allow; the board agreed to hold a special meeting to review and approve a final letter so the public could also comment before submission.

Next steps outlined in the meeting: Washoe County staff will finalize a letter template for the CAB’s review, hold a special CAB meeting before the end‑of‑month deadline, and pursue the CMAP technical assistance to convert feasibility studies into fundable engineering and investment plans. No CMAP award had been announced at the time of the meeting.