NEVADA — With the stroke of his pen, Governor Steve Sisolak today signed into law Senate Bill (SB) 448 to supercharge Nevada’s clean energy economy alongside bill sponsor Senator Chris Brooks and union members of the IBEW Local 357. The bill makes major investments in clean energy transmission, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and energy efficiency programs. As a result of this new law, thousands of jobs will be created in the fast-growing clean energy sector while advancing Governor Sisolak’s continued commitment to fighting climate change in Nevada.
(A full video and photos of the signing can be downloaded here)
SB 448 passed the Nevada Legislature with unanimous support in the Nevada Senate and a strong bipartisan vote of 32-10 in the Nevada Assembly. This bill moves Nevada closer to meeting its ambitious climate goals of 100 percent clean power and net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 with policies outlined in the Nevada Climate Strategy.
“This sweeping clean energy legislation builds upon the successes from the last three legislative sessions for the good of Nevada and our economy,” said Senator Brooks. “This bill will help create good jobs, prioritize historically underserved communities, increase EV charging, expand clean energy use, reduce air pollution, and much more. I am grateful for the strong, consistent leadership of Governor Sisolak to take immediate action on the climate crisis and I am proud to see Nevada take this important step to expand its clean energy economy.”
“After passing historic legislation in the 2019 legislative session to increase the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard, Nevada’s lawmakers have once again shown their strong, collective commitment to a clean energy future,” said Paul Selberg, Executive Director of Nevada Conservation League. “SB 448 allows us to strengthen our transmission network, increase the availability of electric vehicle charging, and invest in energy efficiency while yielding benefits to our economy with new jobs and energy cost savings. We are grateful for the continued leadership of Governor Sisolak and Senator Chris Brooks for building on the progress we’ve made as a state to reach 100 percent carbon-free energy by 2050 and expand our clean energy economy.”
“Due to a history of injustice, low-income communities and people of color in Nevada are breathing dirtier air,” said Rudy Zamora, Program Director of Chispa Nevada. “Our policies need to address the disparities in these communities. By doubling energy efficiency investments in low-income homes and ensuring at least 40 percent of new electric vehicle charging infrastructure is deployed in historically underserved communities, we can begin to address energy equity and climate justice. We thank the Nevada Legislature for passing this bill and Governor Sisolak for signing SB 448 into law.”
“This bill can literally change lives,” said Dr. Mary House, President and CEO of CHR, Inc (Caring, Helping and Restoring Lives). “This bill will ensure that clean energy programs serve customers. By helping our communities get access to modern, cost-saving technology, SB 448 improves air quality and eases financial burdens for families who spend larger percentages of their income on utility bills and transportation. I am thankful to the Nevada Legislature for supporting this bill and to Governor Sisolak for his continued commitment to clean energy.”
“As a mom, I am grateful to the Nevada Legislature for passing SB 448 and to Governor Sisolak for signing the bill into law,” said Cinthia Moore, Nevada Field Organizer for Moms Clean Air Force. “This bill requires Nevada’s utilities to forecast how they could achieve an 80 percent reduction in their carbon dioxide emissions by the year 2030, and net-zero by 2050. Hitting these targets is critical to sparing our children from the worst effects of climate change.”
Nevada voters overwhelmingly support a clean energy economy. New data from Data for Progress and the League of Conservation Voters show 77 percent of Nevada voters favor the historic investments in climate, clean energy, good-paying union jobs, and justice included in President Biden’s American Jobs Plan.
In a February poll released by the Nevada Conservation League Education Fund, 73 percent of Nevada voters said they favor a plan for Nevada utilities to get 100 percent of their electricity from clean energy like solar by the year 2040.