Nellis AFB Solar panels

Governor Brian Sandoval of Nevada has always understood the importance of clean energy to Nevadans and their future.

  • He championed the early closure and replacement of the coal-fired Reid Gardner power plant.
  • He got Nevada the world’s largest battery factory.
  • He built a network of electric vehicle charging stations—an “Electric Highway”—around the state.
  • He recognized the problem when Nevada’s policymakers abruptly ended net metering, and worked to fix it.

The Governor now has in front of him the most impactful clean energy and climate decision he will have the chance to make: whether to sign Assembly Bill 206. The bill would raise Nevada’s renewable portfolio standard—the minimum amount of clean, renewable energy that power companies are required to get on behalf of their customers. Check my blog from earlier this week for the policy specifics.

Enacting Assembly Bill 206 would bring around $1.8 billion of capital investment to the state and address Nevada’s over-reliance on natural gas electricity. Because the costs of large-scale solar have fallen dramatically, it will do this at little or no cost to ratepayers. It will lead to the development of probably five times the amount of clean energy as the rooftop solar bill the Governor has already committed to sign.

In signing Assembly Bill 206, Governor Sandoval would join the American cities and states that are making big clean energy commitments in a time of unprecedented attacks and uncertainty at the Federal level. 

Governor Sandoval has 10 days to decide whether to sign Assembly Bill 206. Our sister organization, the NRDC Action Fund has an online action you can take to show your support.

About the Authors

Senior Scientist, Energy program