Pietro Nivola, Brookings Scholar and a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, where he holds the C. Douglas Dillon Chair in Governance Studies, delivers his public lecture on January 26, 2010.

Energy research at UNLV includes extensive work on solar energy, a major initiative for the university and the state of Nevada. Alternative energy sources and global climate change are two research priorities for Brookings Mountain West scholars. A solar dish power-generation system installed on the north side of campus along Flamingo Road serves as the focal point of a UNLV Center for Energy Research project.

Greenspun Hall, located on Maryland Parkway, is home to Brookings Mountain West, and boasts a distinctive courtyard shaded by a solar power array, which provides a portion of the energy required to operate this modern building. Greenspun Hall possesses a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) gold certification.

Environmental issues in Nevada and the region offer vital areas of research interest for Brookings Mountain West scholars. Southern Nevada, located in the Mojave Desert and home to a one of the nation's fastest growing urban centers, presents a series of challenges to the creation of a diverse, sustainable economy.

Brookings Mountain West, with support from the Lincy Institute, is leading local efforts to improve and enhance educational and health services to children in our region.

Life in the desert is often one of extremes, with fluxuating economic indicators, political trends, and environmental conditions. Brookings Mountain West and UNLV are poised to address issues of critical importance to Las Vegas, our state, and the Intermountain West region.

The creation of effective public policy with regard to water use conservation is critical to the growth and development of the region. Brookings Mountain West scholars, in collaboration with UNLV faculty and students, will analyze and develop policy recommendations essential to the future of Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the United States, located on the Colorado River (approximately 30 miles) southeast of Las Vegas, Nevada.

Travel and tourism have long served as the essential economic force in Southern Nevada, and much of the Intermountain West. Brookings Mountain West and UNLV are committed to the development of a diversified, sustainable economic model for Las Vegas and the region.

Issues relating to health services are of critical importance to Las Vegas and southern Nevada. Brookings Mountain West, with funding from the Lincy Institute, gathers and analyzes data to offer accurate, impactful public policy recommendations to community leaders.