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Nevada Advocacy and Community Organizations Call on Congressional Delegation to Support Bipartisan Infrastructure Package and Budget Reconciliation in Response to Climate Crisis

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – In a letter led by the Nevada Conservation League, local advocacy and community organizations called on the Nevada congressional delegation to support the Bipartisan Infrastructure Package and the budget reconciliation bill in response to the growing climate crisis. In addition to the letter, the Nevada Conservation League has organized a petition for Nevada voters and will be dropping off placards in congressional offices, which contain messages of support for climate action from small businesses, grassroots and community groups. Represented in the letter are labor, faith, conservation and progressive organizations that stand united in holding Nevada’s representatives accountable for protecting the future of Nevadans and the state. 

“Worsening drought, heat, and wildfires are becoming more prevalent and exacerbated by climate change each and every year,” the organizations said. “In Nevada, this has been evident in the rapid depletion of Lake Mead, longer and worse wildfire seasons, and record-breaking heat. When our lives, homes, and livelihoods are at stake, as our representatives, you have the responsibility to take urgent action to protect the future of our people and our state.”

They continued, “The Bipartisan Infrastructure Package takes major steps toward climate action and the budget reconciliation bill is an opportunity for stronger climate policy that can be enacted by simple majority vote. We must prioritize our investment in clean energy, focus on good quality, high-paying jobs, clean up our transportation sector, reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, and decarbonize our economy — all while investing in people and communities who too often have been left behind.”

Nevadans are ready to take action and demand support from their leaders in Washington. In a poll commissioned by the Nevada Conservation League, NCL found:

  • Nevada voters realize the urgency of the climate crisis. 82% of Nevada voters believe climate change is a serious problem and 67% agree it’s already having a serious impact on this part of the country. 
  • Nevada voters want to see climate legislation. Nearly 65% support lawmakers taking strong action to combat climate change. 
  • Nevada voters support progressive proposals to combat climate change. 73% support a plan to require Nevada utilities to get 100% of their electricity from clean energy sources and 70% strongly support regulations to place a limit on total carbon emissions in the state.

The full text can be found below: 

Dear Senators and Representatives, 

We thank you for your leadership on behalf of the Silver State and commend your efforts to improve the lives of Nevadans statewide. As Congress considers major legislation packages that will have large implications for the people of Nevada and our future, we urge you to continue your support for strong climate and clean energy solutions to address our changing climate, create well-paying jobs, and ensure economic and environmental justice in Nevada. 

Worsening drought, heat, and wildfires are becoming more prevalent and exacerbated by climate change each and every year. In Nevada, this has been evident in the rapid depletion of Lake Mead, longer and worsening wildfire seasons, and record-breaking heat. When our lives, homes, and livelihoods are at stake, as our representatives, you have the responsibility to take urgent action to protect the future of our people and our state. 

We also know that Nevadans overwhelmingly support the clean energy proposals in the American Jobs Plan. New data from Data for Progress and the League of Conservation Voters show 77 percent of Nevada voters favor the plan’s historic investments in climate, clean energy, good-paying union jobs, and environmental justice. That is why we strongly urge you to support the Bipartisan Infrastructure Package and the budget reconciliation bill in order to take further action on the climate crisis. 

The IPCC report issued last week has made it clear that we cannot wait any longer. We can no longer delay acting on climate because our lives depend on it. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Package takes major steps toward climate action and the budget reconciliation bill is an opportunity for stronger climate policy that can be enacted by simple majority vote. We must prioritize our investment in clean energy, focus on good quality, high-paying jobs, clean up our transportation sector, reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, and decarbonize our economy — all while investing in people and communities who too often have been left behind. 

The time to act is now. No climate, no deal.

Respectfully,

Nevada Conservation League

Make It Work Nevada

For Our Future Nevada

Battle Born Progress

Native Voters Alliance of Nevada 

One APIA Nevada 

Climate Action NV LCV

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