RENO – The blades of a tall, green wind turbine turned slowly at Mira Loma Park Thursday as city of Reno government leaders gathered beneath it. The small Earth Day event officially unveiled Nevada’s first wind turbine at a public park.

“We are excited on this Earth Day to celebrate the first and largest park wind system making Mira Loma more energy efficient,” said Reno City Council woman Jessica Sferrazza, whose ward jurisdiction area encompasses the park.

The five-kilowatt turbine will provide power for the picnic area lights. According to Reno Environmental Services Administrator, Jason Geddes, the wind turbine will take care of about 10 percent of the park’s total energy load. The turbine cost $55,595 and is paid for with American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds as well as rebates from NV Energy. The turbine is expected to produce about 9,000 kilowatts per year or $1,026 worth of energy, Geddes added.

The project, and many other energy efficient projects done by the city, was completed under the eye of general contractor, APS Energy.

“State and local governments are dealing with crisis issues, we have become acquainted with that,” said Bob Georgeoff, president of APS Energy. “But the city has found an opportunity to effect change and do it with creative funding.”

APS was behind installing the LED lights in Reno’s iconic arch as well as putting solar panels on the Reno Events Center. The company is also contracted to complete seven more wind turbine projects for the city.

A second turbine is planned for Mira Loma and could possibly be located near the skateboard park.

“We still need to finalize that,” Geddes said.

Thursday’s installation is one part of a larger scheme by the city of Reno to install 10 turbines across the city in the coming years. The next installation will be on top of city hall, according to Sferrazza. Geddes added that a total of three turbines will be installed on the building.

The energy production statistics from the projects will eventually be published on the city’s website, giving real time updates on how much renewable energy the city is producing.

NV Energy’s vice president of external affairs, Mary Simmons, praised Reno at the unveiling for its focus on renewable energy.

According to Simmons, Reno has received the most rebates through the utility’s renewable energy generations program.

“This project generated $15,000 in rebates,” Simmons said.

In total, NV Energy has taken 34 wind application projects, Simmons said, meaning $275,000 in rebates.

According to Sferrazza, no money for the project came from Reno’s general fund.