Nevada Conservation Groups Celebrate Passage of Legislation to Significantly Increase State’s Renewable Portfolio Standard

Carson City, NV - Today, Nevada lawmakers approved legislation that will ensure the Silver State’s electricity providers meet at least 50 percent of customers’ energy needs with clean renewable resources – including wind, solar, and geothermal – by 2030, with a goal of 100 percent by 2050. Senate Bill 358 received unanimous support in both the Nevada Senate and Assembly, and will head to Governor Sisolak’s desk to be signed into law. The Sierra Club, Western Resource Advocates, and the Natural Resources Defense Council all applauded the bill’s passage.

“Today’s passage of Senate Bill 358 puts our state on a new path – one that leverages our clean energy resources while reducing the harmful carbon emissions that are driving climate change,” said Robert Johnston, Western Resource Advocates’ senior staff attorney in Nevada. “By raising Nevada’s Renewable Portfolio Standard to 50 percent, we will ensure healthier air for our communities, continued growth of our clean energy economy, and stable electricity rates for Nevadans. We are grateful for Senator Chris Brooks’ tireless work to get SB 358 across the finish line with strong support, and we look forward to Governor Sisolak swiftly signing it into law.”

“The passage of Senate Bill 358 is a huge step towards reinventing power in the state, and moves us toward a future of clean energy,” said Elspeth DiMarzio, Campaign Representative at the Sierra Club. “Over the last few years, Nevada has closed or scheduled to decommission two of three coal plants and is building new solar, geothermal, and battery storage infrastructure. Our state has been making large strides towards embracing the environmental, economic, and health benefits of renewable energy, and today’s vote shows the rest of the country that we are leaders for a greener, cleaner, and healthier future.”

“The Senate's unanimous, bipartisan approval of Senate Bill 358 on Tuesday, and today’s unanimous, bipartisan vote in the Assembly show that Nevada is ready for a transition to clean energy,” said Dylan Sullivan, Senior Scientist at the Natural Resources Defense Council. “Updating and reforming the RPS will create jobs, reduce pollution, and make Nevada, once again, a national clean energy leader. Congratulations to Senator Brooks, and all members of the Nevada Assembly and Senate.”

Increasing the state’s RPS to 50 percent will spur additional investments and innovation in Nevada’s clean energy sector, which employs more than 32,000 Nevadans. The new standard will also reduce utilities’ reliance on fossil fuels, save customers money, curtail air pollution, and improve public health. Nevada voters overwhelmingly approved a similar ballot initiative to establish a 50 percent RPS during the 2018 midterm elections.