Nevada is all-in on the development of renewable energy sources.
Senate Bill 254 became law after Nevada’s 2019 Legislative Session. The measure set the tiered goals of a 28 percent reduction of statewide Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG) by 2025, a 45 percent reduction by 2030, and “zero or near-zero” emissions by 2050.
SB 254 also mandates state agencies issue an annual GHG emissions inventory, to include a 20-year forecast of future emissions. Annual reports must also include a “statement of policies” intended to address GHG emissions in Nevada. The annual assessments and associated reports enable the state to know if it is meeting GHG reduction targets.
In 2017, Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak signed SB 358 into law, which requires electric retail providers to obtain no less than 50 percent of electricity from renewable sources by 2030.
SB 358 also formalized the goal, or tipping point, of “achieving by 2050 an amount of energy production from zero carbon dioxide emission resources equal to the total amount of electricity sold by providers of electric service in this state.”
Governor Sisolak issued an Executive Order in November of 2019 that resulted in the creation of a State Climate Strategy, published on December 1, 2020.
To better understand the level of electric vehicle adoption needed for Nevada to meet CO2 emissions goals, the Natural Resources Defence Council, Southwest Energy Efficiency Project, and Western Resource Advocates commissioned a study from MJ Bradley & Associates that concludes Nevada could realize $21 billion in avoided expenditures on gasoline and maintenance, reduced utility bills, and environmental benefits by 2050 by driving electric vehicles.
For more on the EV study, we spoke with Max Baumhefner, senior attorney, Climate & Clean Energy Program for the NRDC about the electric vehicle study.
Music credits as reported to the Public Radio Exchange, in order of appearance:
Song: Sci Fi Saloon
Artist: Hacienda
Album: Narrowed Eyes
Label: Infracom!
Year: 2007
Duration: 1:43
Song: Dust Heroes
Artist: Hacienda
Album: Narrowed Eyes
Label: Infracom!
Year: 2007
Duration: 2:31
Song: Flannel Sunset
Artist: Hacienda
Album: Narrowed Eyes
Label: Infracom!
Year: 2007
Duration: 2:22
Song: Stereo Softbar
Artist: Hacienda
Album: Narrowed Eyes
Label: Infracom!
Year: 2007
Duration: :57
Song: Serve Chilled
Artist: Hacienda
Album: Narrowed Eyes
Label: Infracom!
Year: 2007
Duration:44
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