(1) | | Includes shares of “phantom stock” representing the actuarial value of certain directors’ vested benefits in the terminated Retirement Plan for Outside Directors, payable at the time of the respective directors’ departure from the Board, in the following amounts: Ms. Coleman, Ms. Corbin, Messrs. Day, Donnelly, Herbst and O’Reilly 9,217, 10,188, 15,354, 13,818, 7,731 and 6,957 shares, respectively. |
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(2) | | Includes shares that the Directors have requested be deferred until their departure from the Board in the following amounts: Messrs. Day, O’Reilly, Satre, Snyder and Turner 25,134, 4,210, 4,210, 2,585, and 5,870 shares, respectively. |
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(3) | | On February 15, 2007, the Board of Directors elected Brian J. Kennedy as a Director. As of March 15, 2007, he did not own any common stock of SPR. |
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(4) | | Includes shares issuable under the Long-Term Incentive Plan within 60 days of March 15, 2007, to Messrs. Higgins, Yackira, Kaleta, Ceccarelli, Denis, and directors and executive officers as a group in the amounts of 634,030, 18,267, 37,542, 97,796, 11,881 shares, and 143,293 shares, respectively. |
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or the Exchange Act, requires that directors, officers, and any holders of more than 10% of our common stock file reports with the SEC disclosing ownership of our stock and changes in beneficial ownership. Officers, directors and 10% stockholders are required by SEC regulations to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.
To our knowledge, based solely on review of our records and written representations by persons required to file these reports, during 2006, all filing requirements under Section 16(a) were complied with in a timely fashion.
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
The Audit Committee, described above in the section “Board and Committee Meetings,” has adopted and maintains a written charter, which was approved by the full Board of Directors. The Committee reviews and reassesses the adequacy of its charter on an annual basis. The charter was last reviewed at the July 2006 Committee meeting; the Committee made no material substantive changes or alterations in the Committee’s various authorities and responsibilities. The charter is available for review on the Company’s web sitewww.sierrapacificresources.com.A written code of ethics applicable to all the Company’s officers and employees, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Financial Officer, has been in existence for several years. The Code is also periodically reviewed by management and the Audit Committee. In accordance with its written charter, the Audit Committee is responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention, and oversight of the Company’s independent auditors and assists the Board in fulfilling its responsibility for oversight of the quality and integrity of the accounting, auditing, and financial reporting practices of the Company and oversees the efficacy of its internal and external controls. The Audit Committee reviews and discusses quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and the Annual Report on Form 10-K, before recommending the adoption of the 10-K by the Company and full Board and filing of the 10-K with the SEC.
In discharging its oversight responsibility as to the audit process, the Audit Committee obtained from the independent auditors the written disclosures and the letter required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 (ISB 1), as amended and supplemented, “Independence Discussions with Audit Committees,” discussed with the auditors any relationships that may impact their objectivity and independence, including whether the provision of non-audit services by the auditors is compatible with maintaining auditor independence, and satisfied itself as to the auditors’ independence. A statement of audit fees and all other fees charged by the auditors during 2005 and 2006 is set forth below under “Independent Public Accountants—Audit Fees.”
The Committee also discusses with management, the internal auditors, and the independent auditors the quality and adequacy of the Company’s internal controls and the internal audit function’s organization, responsibilities, budget and staffing. The Committee reviews with both the independent and the internal auditors their audit plans, audit scope, and identification of audit risks.
The Committee discusses and reviews with the independent auditors all communications required by generally accepted auditing standards, including those described in Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended, “Codification of Statements on Auditing Standards.” These include but are not limited to (1) accounting policies for unusual transactions, (2) the impact of accounting policies for which there is no authoritative consensus, (3) sensitive accounting estimates, and (4) disagreements with management. The Committee also discusses and reviews the process used by management in formulating particularly sensitive accounting estimates and the basis for the conclusions of its independent auditors regarding the reasonableness of those estimates; and, with and without management present, discusses and reviews the results of the independent auditors’ examination of the financial statements. The Committee also discusses the results of the internal audit examinations.
The Committee reviewed the audited financial statements of the Company as of and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, with management and the independent auditors, which included a discussion of the quality and effect of accounting principles, the reasonableness of significant judgments, and the clarity of disclosure in the financial statements. Management has the responsibility for the preparation of the Company’s financial statements and the independent auditors have the responsibility for the examination of those statements.
Based on the above-mentioned review and discussions with management and the independent auditors, the Committee recommended to the Board that the Company’s audited financial statements be included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, for filing with the SEC.
All members of the Audit Committee are independent as defined in Section 303A.02 of the New York Stock Exchange Listed Company Manual and Rules 10A-2 and 10A-3(b)(1) of the Exchange Act. No member of the Committee has any relationship with the Company that might interfere with the exercise of independence from management of the Company. Each member is financially literate and knowledgeable. Mr. Turner, the Chairman, is the former Chief Executive Officer of a New York Stock Exchange company, a CPA and former partner in a professional accounting firm, has considerable knowledge of financial accounting, reporting, management and internal controls,
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and the Board of Directors has determined that he is an accounting and related financial management expert as defined by the New York Stock Exchange standards and an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in the rules and regulations of the Exchange Act.
Respectfully submitted, |
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THE AUDIT COMMITTEE |
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CLYDET. TURNER,Chair |
KRESTINEM. CORBIN |
DONALDD. SNYDER |
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
During 2006, Ms. Coleman, and Messrs. Anderson, Donnelley and Day served as members of the Compensation Committee. None of them were at any time during 2006, or before then, an officer or employee of SPR or any of its subsidiaries. None of them had any relationships with SPR or any of its subsidiaries during 2006 that was required to be disclosed under Item 404 of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act.
None of our executive officers or any of our subsidiaries served as a director or member of the Compensation Committee (or other committee serving an equivalent function) of any other entity, whose executive officer served on our Board of Directors or any of our subsidiaries or the Compensation Committee.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of SPR oversees SPR’s compensation program on behalf of the Board. In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, the Compensation Committee reviewed and discussed with management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis set forth in SPR’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006.
In reliance on the review and discussions referred to above, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in SPR’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 and this Proxy Statement to be filed in connection with SPR’s 2007 Annual Meeting of stockholders.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE |
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JAMESR. DONNELLEY,Chair |
JOSEPHB. ANDERSON, JR. |
MARYLEECOLEMAN |
THEODOREJ. DAY |
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Related Party Transactions
The son of John F. O’Reilly, a member of SPR’s Board of Directors, is associated with the Waller Law Group, which is acting as co-counsel for SPR and the Utilities in two significant litigation matters. Mr. O’Reilly’s son is not working on either matter, and neither Mr. O’Reilly nor his son receives any compensation or other benefits from SPR or the Utilities related to these matters. On the basis of this relationship, however, the Board of Directors has not included Mr. O’Reilly among those directors considered to be independent.
Affiliate Transactions and Relationships
Employees of SPR provide certain accounting, treasury, information technology and administrative services to NPC and SPPC. The costs of those services are allocated among the Utilities according to each Utility’s usage. For fiscal year 2006, the costs for such services allocated to NPC was $2.2 million and the costs of such services
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allocated to SPPC was $1.7 million. Additionally, many of SPR’s officers are also officers of NPC and SPPC. All three Companies have the same members of their respective boards of directors. SPR files a consolidated federal income tax return for itself and its subsidiaries. Current income taxes are allocated based on each entity’s respective taxable income or loss and investment tax credits as if each subsidiary filed a separate return. SPR does not believe that any significant additional tax liability would be incurred by any of its subsidiaries on behalf of any other subsidiary; however, SPR and its subsidiaries could potentially incur certain tax liabilities as a result of the joint tax filing in the event of a change in applicable law or as a result of an audit.
As part of their on-going cash management practices and operations, SPR may make intercompany loans to the Utilities, subject to any applicable regulatory restrictions and restrictions under SPR’s or the Utilities’ financing agreements.
Review, Approval or Ratification of Transactions with Related Parties
In accordance with SPR’s Business Conduct Code “The Power of Integrity—A Guide to Business Conduct” (the “Business Conduct Code”), all transactions and relationships between and among the Utilities and their non–utility affiliates, including SPR, are to be guided by and conducted in accordance with all statutes and rules enforced by the PUCN and the California Public Utilities Commission, FERC, and the related compliance plans of the Utilities. Employees must ensure that inter-company transactions and related activities are permitted, properly documented and meet applicable regulations. Moreover, SPR and the Utilities must comply with FERC Order No. 2004 and all subsequent versions. This requires that employees engaged in transmission system operations act independently of any company employees engaged in wholesale merchant functions so as not to benefit an affiliate in the wholesale purchase and sale of power or natural gas. All directors, officers, employees, consultants and contractors of SPR and the Utilities are expected to abide by these standards of conduct and every supervisor and manager is responsible for helping employees understand and comply with these principles. “The Power of Integrity—A Guide to Business Conduct” is set forth in writing on SPR’s website atwww.sierrapacificresources.com and is available in print to any shareholder who requests it by writing to the Company at Sierra Pacific Resources, 6100 Neil Road, Reno, NV, 89511, Attn: Shareholder Relations, or by calling the Company at (800) 662-7575.
The Ethics and Compliance Office oversees company compliance with laws, regulations and policies, self–governance activities, compliance risk assessment, integrity and compliance training, and monitors and reports on compliance efforts. The Ethics and Compliance Office is responsible for managing all integrity and compliance programs, including managing the investigation process and reviewing results of investigations. The Ethics and Compliance Office is also responsible for applying the business conduct rules on a consistent basis and ensuring that employee concerns are addressed in a fair, unbiased and timely manner.
The Code of Ethics for the CEO, CFO and Controller (the “Code of Ethics”) is set forth in writing on SPR’s website atwww.sierrapacificresources.com and is available in print to any shareholder who requests it by writing to the Company at Sierra Pacific Resources, 6100 Neil Road, Reno, NV, 89511, Attn: Shareholder Relations, or by calling the Company at (800) 662-7575. This Code of Ethics requires the CEO, CFO and Controller to exhibit and promote the highest standards of honest and ethical conduct at SPR and the Utilities through the establishment and operation of policies and procedures that, among other things, prohibit and eliminate the appearance or occurrence of conflicts between what is in the best interest of SPR and the Utilities and what could result in material personal gain for a member of the financial organization, including the CEO, CFO and Controller.
In accordance with the charter of SPR’s audit committee, the audit committee is responsible for reviewing reports and disclosures of insider and affiliated party transactions and periodically reviewing the Code of Ethics to determine whether it complies with applicable rules and regulations and whether management has established a system to enforce the code. The audit committee is also responsible for advising the Board with respect to SPR’s policies and procedures regarding compliance with applicable laws and regulations in connection with insider and affiliated party transactions as well as compliance with the Business Conduct Code. A copy of the audit committee charter is set forth in writing on SPR’s website atwww.sierrapacificresources.com and is available in print to any shareholder who requests it by writing to the Company at Sierra Pacific Resources, 6100 Neil Road, Reno, NV, 89511, Attn: Shareholder Relations, or by calling the Company at (800) 662-7575.
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BOARD INDEPENDENCE AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE DISCLOSURE
Director Independence
The Board has determined that each of the following directors of SPR meet the independence requirements under the New York Stock Exchange’s listing standards: Mary Lee Coleman, Theodore J. Day, Jerry E. Herbst, Donald D. Snyder, Clyde T. Turner, Philip G. Satre, Krestine M. Corbin, Joseph B. Anderson, Jr., James R. Donnelley and Brian J. Kennedy.
INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
The audit committee has selected Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent public accountants, to conduct an audit and to report on our financial statements for the fiscal year ended 2007. Deloitte & Touche LLP audited our financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006. A representative of Deloitte & Touche LLP will be present at the annual meeting to answer questions from stockholders and will have an opportunity to make a statement if desired.
Audit Fees
The following table summarizes the aggregate fees billed to SPR, NPC and SPPC by our independent registered public accounting firm, Deloitte and Touche LLP.
| NPC | | SPPC | | SPR Consolidated (d) |
| 2006 | | 2005 | | 2006 | | 2005 | | 2006 | | 2005 |
Audit Fees (a) | $ 1,403,150 | | $ 1,359,499 | | $ 1,328,825 | | $ 1,295,521 | | $ 3,016,025 | | $ 3,270,514 |
Audit Related Fees (b) | 10,000 | | — | | 10,500 | | 36,308 | | 20,500 | | 94,693 |
All Other Fees (c) | — | | — | | — | | — | | 75,000 | | 29,560 |
Total | $ 1,413,150 | | $ 1,359,499 | | $ 1,339,325 | | $ 1,331,829 | | $ 3,111,525 | | $ 3,394,767 |
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(a) | | Fees for audit services billed in 2006 and 2005 consisted of: |
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| | - Audit of the companies financial statements.
- Reviews of the companies quarterly financial statements.
- Comfort letters, regulatory audits, consents and other services related to SEC matters.
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(b) | | Fees for audit related services billed in 2006 and 2005 consisted of: |
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| | - Sarbanes-Oxley Act, Section 404 advisory services.
- Agreed upon procedures.
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(c) | | Fees for all other services billed in 2006 and 2005 consisted of permitted non-audit services, such as: |
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(d) | | 2005 Audit fees have been adjusted from information previously presented to reflect fees for audit services relating to the audit of the 2005 financial statements, including internal controls over financial reporting for SPR, billed subsequent to the filing of the 2006 proxy statement. |
In considering the nature of the services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm, the Audit Committee determined that such services are compatible with the provision of independent audit services. The Audit Committee discussed these services with the independent auditor and management to determine that they are permitted under the rules and regulations concerning auditor independence promulgated by the SEC to implement the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as well as the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
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Pre-Approval Policy
The services performed by Deloitte and Touche LLP, in 2006 were pre-approved on February 26, 2006 meeting by the Audit Committee in accordance with the pre-approval policy and procedures adopted by the Audit Committee. This policy describes the permitted audit, audit-related, tax, and other services (collectively, the “Disclosure Categories”) that Deloitte and Touche may perform. The policy requires that prior to the beginning of each fiscal year, a description of the services (the “Service List”) expected to be performed by Deloitte and Touche in each of the Disclosure Categories in the following fiscal year be presented to the Audit Committee for approval.
Any requests for audit, audit related, tax, and other services not contemplated on the Service List must be submitted to the Audit Committee for specific pre-approval and cannot commence until such approval has been granted. Normally, pre-approval is provided at regularly scheduled meetings. However, the authority to grant specific pre-approval between meetings, as necessary, has been delegated to the Chairman of the Audit Committee. Under the policy, the Chairman must update the Audit Committee at the next regularly scheduled meeting of any services that were granted specific pre-approval.
In addition, although not required by the rules and regulations of the SEC, the Audit Committee (generally) requests a range of fees associated with each proposed service on the Service List and any services that were not originally included on the Service List. Providing a range of fees for a service incorporates appropriate oversight and control of the independent auditor relationship, while permitting the Company to receive immediate assistance from the independent auditor when time is of the essence.
On a quarterly basis, the Audit Committee reviews the status of services and fees incurred year-to-date against the original Service List and the forecast of remaining services and fees for the fiscal year.
The policy contains ade minimis provision that operates to provide retroactive approval for small immaterial and permissible non-audit services under certain circumstances. The provision allows for the pre-approval requirement to be waived if all of the following criteria are met:
| 1. | | The service is not an audit, review or other attest service; |
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| 2. | | The aggregate amount of all such services provided under this provision does not exceed the lesser of $50,000 or five percent of total fees paid to the independent auditor in a given fiscal year; |
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| 3. | | Such services were not recognized at the time of the engagement to be non-audit services; |
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| 4. | | Such services are promptly brought to the attention of the Audit Committee and approved by the Audit Committee or its designee; and |
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| 5. | | The service and fee are specifically disclosed in this Proxy Statement as meeting the de minimis requirements. |
During 2006, fees for audit related services, tax services and all other fees were pre-approved by the Audit Committee or Chairman of the Audit Committee.
COMMUNICATIONS WITH DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors will give appropriate attention to written communications on issues that are submitted by stockholders and other interested parties, and will respond if and as appropriate. Absent unusual circumstances or as contemplated by committee charters, the chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee will, with the assistance of our internal legal counsel, (1) be primarily responsible for monitoring communications from stockholders and other interested parties and (2) provide copies or summaries of such communications to the other directors as he or she considers appropriate.
Communications will be forwarded to all directors if they relate to substantive matters and include suggestions or comments that the chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee considers to be important for the directors to know. In general, communications relating to corporate governance and long-term corporate strategy are more likely to be forwarded than communications relating to personal grievances and matters as to which we tend to receive repetitive or duplicative communications.
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Stockholders and other interested parties may communicate directly with the Company’s non-management directors as a group, or with any individual director, by addressing such communications to the desired recipients and sending it c/o Corporate Secretary, Sierra Pacific Resources, P.O. Box 30150, Reno, Nevada 89520-3150, and marking such communications as “confidential.”
OTHER MATTERS
We have no knowledge of any matters to be presented for action by the stockholders at the Annual Meeting other than as set forth herein. However, the enclosed proxy gives discretionary authority to the persons named therein to act in accordance with their best judgment in the event that any additional matters should be presented.
To the extent that this proxy statement has been or will be specifically incorporated by reference into any filing by us under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, the sections of the proxy statement entitled “Report of the Compensation Committee on Executive Compensation” and “Report of the Audit Committee” shall not be deemed to be “soliciting materials” or to be so incorporated, unless specifically otherwise provided in any such filing.
So that your shares may be represented if you do not plan to attend the Annual Meeting, please vote your shares by mail, the Internet or telephone.
A prompt response will greatly facilitate arrangements for the Annual Meeting, and your cooperation will be appreciated.
On Behalf of the Board of Directors |
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![](https://capedge.com/proxy/DEF 14A/0001206774-07-000813/sierrapacific_def14a5x10x1.jpg) |
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PAUL J. KALETA,Corporate Secretary |
March 29, 2007
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SIERRA PACIFIC RESOURCES
6100 NEIL ROAD
P.O. BOX 30150
RENO, NV 89520
![](https://capedge.com/proxy/DEF 14A/0001206774-07-000813/proxycardx1x1.jpg)
Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time the day before the annual meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form.
ELECTRONIC DELIVERY OF FUTURE SHAREHOLDER
COMMUNICATIONS
If you would like to reduce the costs incurred by Sierra Pacific Resources in mailing proxy materials, you can consent to receiving all future proxy statements, proxy cards and annual reports electronically via e-mail or the Internet. To sign up for electronic delivery, please follow the instructions above to vote using the Internet and, when prompted, indicate that you agree to receive or access shareholder communications electronically in future years.![](https://capedge.com/proxy/DEF 14A/0001206774-07-000813/proxycardx1x2.jpg)
Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time the day before the annual meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions. Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Sierra Pacific Resources, c/o ADP, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717.
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TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS: | SIERR1 | KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS |
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| | DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY |
THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED.
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SIERRA PACIFIC RESOURCES
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Vote on Directors | | | | | | | | | | |
1. | TO ELECT THE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
For nominees listed below (except as written to the contrary to the right)
01)Walter M. Higgins 02)Brian J. Kennedy 03)John F. O’Reilly 04)Michael W. Yackira | | | For All
| Withhold All
| For All Except
| | To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark “For All Except” and write the number(s) of the nominee(s) on the line below. | |
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Vote on Proposal | | | | | | | | For | Against | Abstain |
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2. | TO CONSIDER WHETHER TO ADOPT A SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL REQUESTING DIRECTORS TO TAKE THE STEPS NECESSARY, IN THE MOST EXPEDITOUS MANNER POSSIBLE, TO ADOPT ANNUAL ELECTION OF EACH DIRECTOR. | ¨ | ¨ | ¨ |
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3. | WITH DISCRETIONARY AUTHORITY TO VOTE UPON SUCH OTHER BUSINESS AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING. | | | |
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| THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS VOTINGFOR PROPOSAL NO. 1 ANDAGAINST PROPOSAL NO. 2. | | | |
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For address changes and/or comments, please check this box and write them on the back where indicated. | ¨ | | | | | | | | | |
Please sign below exactly as your name appears on this card, including the title “Executor,” “Trustee,” etc., if the same is indicated. When stock is held by a corporation, this proxy should be executed by an authorized officer thereof. | | | | | | | | | | |
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Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX] | Date | | Signature (Joint Owners) | Date | |
Your vote is important. Please vote immediately.
You may also vote the shares over the Internet or by telephone.
Your Internet or telephone vote authorizes the named proxies to vote the shares in the same
manner as if you marked, signed, dated and returned your proxy card.
If you vote the shares over the Internet or by telephone,
please do not mail your proxy card.
This Proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors.
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS—MAY 7, 2007
The undersigned, revoking all prior proxies, hereby appoints Paul Kaleta and William D. Rogers, or either of them, each with full power of substitution, proxies to vote all shares of Common Stock of Sierra Pacific Resources that the undersigned may be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on Monday, May 7, 2007, at the Grand Sierra Hotel and Casino, 2500 E. Second Street, Reno, Nevada at 10:00 a.m., Pacific time, and at any and all adjournments thereof:
THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED BY THE STOCKHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN WHEN THE DULY EXECUTED PROXY IS RETURNED, SUCH SHARES WILL BE VOTED “FOR” ALL NOMINEES IN ITEM 1 AND “AGAINST” THE SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL IN ITEM 2.
Please mark, sign, date, and return the Proxy using the enclosed envelope.
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Address Changes/Comments: | | |
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(If you noted any Address Changes/Comments above, please mark corresponding box on the reverse side.)