NEVADA — Today, the Nevada Assembly passed Senate Bill 448, an expansive clean energy proposal investing in clean energy transmission, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and energy efficiency programs. The bill will create jobs in the fast-growing clean energy sector while putting the state on a path to meet its climate goals.
SB 448, introduced by Senator Chris Brooks, passed the Nevada Senate unanimously on Friday, May 25 and today passed the Assembly 32-10 after receiving unanimous support in the Assembly Growth and Infrastructure Committee. Governor Steve Sisolak is expected to sign SB 448 once it reaches his desk.
“We applaud the Nevada Assembly for moving swiftly and showing strong bipartisan support for clean energy and climate action,” said Paul Selberg, Executive Director of Nevada Conservation League. “Expanding clean electricity, strengthening the transmission network, and transportation electrification means more jobs and cost savings to power Nevada’s economic recovery, all while advancing toward our goals of 100 percent clean power and net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.”
“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, and we thank the Assembly for passing the measure.”
“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 look forward to Governor Sisolak signing this bill into law.”
“As a mom, I am grateful to the Nevada Assembly for passing SB 448,” 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.”