Sierra Pacific Resources (NYSE:SRP) announced today that its two Nevada-based utility subsidiaries have issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to solicit proposals for energy generated by renewable energy fuel sources.

Reno, Nev. - Sierra Pacific Resources (NYSE:SRP) announced today that its two Nevada-based utility subsidiaries have issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to solicit proposals for energy generated by renewable energy fuel sources. The two subsidiaries are Nevada Power Company, the electric utility for most of southern Nevada and Sierra Pacific Power Company, the electric utility for most of northern Nevada.

The requests are part of the utilities' actions to comply with Nevada law which requires Nevada utilities to generate or acquire a certain percentage of renewable energy resources, including solar, wind, geothermal, biomass and hydro sources, for use in serving customers within the state. Responses to the RFP are due back to the utilities no later than August 18, 2003.

Earlier this year, the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada (PUCN) approved renewable energy contracts between the utilities and seven suppliers to provide 277 megawatts* of electricity to the utilities beginning in 2005. The contracts are for a combination of geothermal, wind and solar resources.

The law contains a provision that requires providers of electric service to increase the use of renewable energy by 2 percent every other year, until the provider's renewable energy portfolio accounts for 15 percent of its total energy sales by the year 2013. The total for solar- generated power must be 5 percent of the total renewable energy portfolio.

Parties interested in submitting a response to the RFP, or wishing more information related to the RFP or renewable energy laws, should go to Sierra Pacific Resources' website at:

http://www.sierrapacificresources.com/company/renewables/

Headquartered in Nevada, Sierra Pacific Resources is a holding company whose principal subsidiaries are Nevada Power Company, the electric utility for most of southern Nevada, and Sierra Pacific Power Company, the electric utility for most of northern Nevada and the Lake Tahoe area of California. Sierra Pacific Power Company also distributes natural gas in the Reno-Sparks area of northern Nevada. Other subsidiaries include the Tuscarora Gas Pipeline Company, which owns 50% interest in an interstate natural gas transmission partnership, Sierra Pacific Communications, a telecommunications company, and Sierra Pacific Energy (e-three), an energy conservation services company.

* One megawatt will serve approximately 750-1,000 homes and/or businesses.