The Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance hosted a discussion about renewable energy at the MGM Grand Friday.


State business leaders say turning sunshine into energy is expected to continue growing in Nevada.


Senator Harry Reid says the state has invested about $6 billion in clean energy projects that have resulted in about 20,000 jobs. He says Nevada needs to continue being a leader with clean energy.


"We need to continue to do what we can do best and that's do something with renewable energy. No state in the union has the opportunity that we have," said Reid.


Local companies like MGM Resorts say renewable energy is important from a business stand point.


"MGM Resorts is the largest employer in the state of Nevada and we're also the largest power user of NV Energy. So we feel that we have a leadership role in our community to help stimulate clean energy and invest in clean energy," said Cindy Ortega of MGM Resorts International.


MGM properties use the same amount of energy as 87,000 homes to power the nearly one dozen casinos they own on the Las Vegas Strip.


MGM has invested heavily in solar energy on local properties, but they've also put in a request to the Nevada Public Utilities Commission to buy power from private energy providers other than NV Energy. If their request is granted, it could have a significant impact on residential energy rates.


Switch Communications has done this and now other companies are looking into it as well. The move would allow them to potentially find electricity at a cheaper cost.


"What it does is splits what is now a bundled supply of energy and we would continue to be an NV Energy customer for the delivery of electricity to our properties and for them to service the Las Vegas grid, but we would buy our energy source from independent contractors that sell into this grid," said Ortega.


Leaders of MGM say they're working to ensure they have enough power for the long run.


8 News NOW reached out to an NV Energy spokesman, but they didn't want to comment on how big companies working to get off their grid could impact rates for NV Energy residential customers.