Our country is at an important juncture, facing a monumental opportunity to invest in clean energy and efficiencies that will electrify our transportation systems and support businesses. Currently, the White House’s infrastructure proposal — The American Jobs Plan — is under debate in Congress. When deciding our future, we must all agree on the need to build a climate-strong economy that will increase our resilience, create jobs and update critical infrastructure. In Nevada, we have leaders who understand these needs. Our state’s Climate Strategy outlines the economic opportunities available if we address climate change and how we can lead on climate action. The Governor’s plan for American Rescue funding includes investments in clean energy projects and resilient infrastructure. And the 2021 Nevada Legislature passed key legislation (Senate Bill 448) that will put millions of dollars in electric vehicle infrastructure, incentivize battery storage and permit tenant solar. Paired with NV Energy’s Greenlink Initiative, which has committed $2.5 billion to update transmission infrastructure that will distribute Nevada’s growing share of renewable energy, it’s clear we are preparing for the future. We want to avoid the disruptions caused by climate change and prepare businesses that need reliable and affordable energy to successfully operate and grow. Even better, the Greenlink Initiative will support nearly 4,000 jobs and $690 million in economic activity. Congress can do its part and pass legislation that demonstrates its understanding of the economic value in clean energy. U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen, a member of the bipartisan Senate Climate Solutions Caucus, is an original cosponsor of the Clean Energy for America Act, and U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto has introduced a package of bills to promote clean transportation through electric vehicles and clean fueling. She has also cosponsored a bill to place thousands of charging stations in disadvantaged and underserved communities, just as Nevada adopts Clean Car Standards to accelerate the use of cleaner vehicles and cleaner technologies. Seizing federal and private funding opportunities could put Nevada well on its way to meeting our climate goals and ensuring a more sustainable economic recovery. But the federal funding has to materialize and move past partisan politics. We call on Congress to swiftly pass legislation that will be all about jobs and usher in an even stronger economic future for all Nevadans. “Commerce Matters” is a monthly Voices column in the NNBW authored by Ann Silver, CEO of the Reno + Sparks Chamber of Commerce. Reach her for comment at asilver@thechambernv.org.
