Carson City, NV — Today, clean air advocates cheered as Governor Sisolak signed into law Assembly Bill 349. AB 349 would reduce smog pollution from in-name-only “Classic Cars,” a key measure to reduce transportation pollution that is hastening climate change and harming Nevadans’ health, particularly low-income and Black and brown communities. The bill also directs Clark and Washoe Counties to create programs to help vehicle owners whose vehicles will not be able to pass smog checks, either by repairing those vehicles or helping them access newer, cleaner cars.
“AB 349 advances the Nevada Climate Strategy by closing loopholes and getting dirty vehicles off the road,” said Assemblyman Howard Watts (D-Las Vegas), the bill’s sponsor. “At the same time, it opens the door for targeted incentives to help historically underserved communities make needed repairs or upgrade to newer, cleaner transportation. I thank Gov. Sisolak for signing the bill, and for his administration’s continued commitment to taking action on climate, clean energy, and public health.”
“AB 349 was a crucial step forward not only to reduce smog pollution that plagues low-income communities of color, but also to put in place programs to bring cleaner transportation to our communities,” said Rudy Zamora, Program Director for Chispa Nevada, a community organizing program of the League of Conservation Voters. “As Nevada transitions to electrified transportation, we cannot move forward without increasing access to low- and zero-emission cars and trucks for the Nevadans most harmed by environmental pollution. We thank Governor Sisolak for promptly signing this bill into law, and we look forward to working with Clark and Washoe Counties to help more Nevadans get cleaner cars.”
“Nevada’s transportation sector is the top source of greenhouse gas pollution in our state,” said Paul Selberg, Executive Director for Nevada Conservation League. “Cars and trucks that go unchecked for smog emissions can contribute heavily to a warming climate and air pollution that threatens public health. Removing, repairing, and replacing polluting vehicles will reduce our emission levels and put Nevada on track to meet our climate goals. We thank Governor Sisolak for signing this bill to protect our climate, health, and economy.”
“AB 349 will help Nevada families breathe better by improving our air quality,” said Cinthia Moore, national lead for EcoMadres, a project of Moms Clean Air Force. “As a mom whose child suffers from respiratory issues, we can now breathe a small sigh of relief that smog pollution from older vehicles is being addressed. Latino children are 60% more likely to suffer from an asthma attack exacerbated by air pollution. We thank Governor Sisolak for signing AB 349 into law.”
“Transportation impacts every aspect of our day-to-day lives, from how we get to work, how we get to the grocery store, visit the doctor, to even the very air that we breathe,” said Rev. Jackson with the Faith Organizing Alliance. “Yet not all members of our community have the same access and ease of mobility as others, and we do not bear the burden of air pollution the same way. One of the ways we think we can address this is by reducing pollution that comes from vehicles, to reduce contamination that is making our community sick.”