SolarReserve commits $100K for Nye County ambulance

Nye County is set to receive a $100,000 donation from its top taxpayer.

Tonopah Solar, LLC, a subsidiary company of SolarReserve, that operates Crescent Dunes Solar Energy Project near Tonopah, committed the money for a replacement ambulance as Nye County’s ambulance is presumed to be a complete loss following an accident, officials said.

Arnold Knightly, Nye County spokesman, said the county has not been given the money, but Tonopah Solar has committed the funding once the county begins the process to acquire an ambulance.

Lorinda Wichman, a Nye County commissioner whose district includes Tonopah, said that she is “grateful” for the contribution from Tonopah Solar.

“Without this $100,000 contribution, the county staff would still be looking for a way to make a new ambulance possible,” Wichman said. “Tonopah Solar has been a wonderful partner in assisting the community. They are generous, involved and truly care for their community.”

Vance Payne, director of Nye County Emergency Services, said Tonopah Medic 11 was returning from Northern Inyo Hospital in Bishop, on California on U.S. Highway 6 when the driver was blinded by an oncoming car and struck a boulder that had rolled into the road.

Payne said although Nye County believes the vehicle to be a total loss, they are still awaiting a final confirmation.

“The boulder ripped the entire front suspension out from under the vehicle,” Payne said. “Miraculously, the vehicle came to a safe stop on the side of the road and none of the three EMS personnel were injured.”

Mary Grikas, spokeswoman for SolarReserve, said the company makes donations to various organizations in Tonopah and Nye County throughout the year.

“We’ve also committed to participate in helping the county with ambulance service requirements,” Grikas said.

Grikas also said that the donation is in process and is depending on the timing requirements of the county. She declined to provide the exact amount of the donation.

“We don’t typically comment on the size of our charitable donations. The recipient is free to release that information at their discretion,” she said.

Santa Monica, California-based SolarReserve, which operates Crescent Dunes through a subsidiary company, Tonopah Solar, LLC, recently announced plans for eight to 10 new solar thermal towers near Tonopah.

Following the announcement, Nye County commissioners in September adopted a resolution supporting SolarReserve’s activities in the county.

Contact reporter Daria Sokolova at dsokolova@pvtimes.com. On Twitter: @dariasokolova77