Companies Urge Support for Strong Nevada Clean Energy Standard
Media Contacts:
- Abbi Whitaker | abbi@theabbiagency.com | 775-722-2254
- Connie Liu | connie@theabbiagency.com | 775-224-0006
- Sara Sciammacco – Ceres | sciammacco@ceres.org | 617-247-0700 x 172
May 30, 2017 /3BL Media/ - Five of Nevada’s most prominent employers are urging the Nevada Senate to pass Assembly Bill 206 for a strong clean energy standard for the state. The letter from the five companies – Dignity Health, eBay, Levi Strauss & Co., Switch and Unilever– urges support for the standard, which would increase the percentage Nevadans get from clean renewable energy from 20 percent, where it is now, to 50 percent by 2030.
The stronger Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) would “help ensure all customers are able to take advantage of the benefits of having more renewable energy on the grid,” the letter says. “Strengthening the state’s clean energy standard will also provide businesses with the certainty and predictability we need to make long-term investments in Nevada. Clean energy investments can help businesses cut energy costs, avoid the volatility of fossil fuel prices, and stay competitive.”
The five companies signing the letter join a growing chorus of companies large and small urging the Nevada Legislature and Gov. Brian Sandoval to enact the clean energy standard into law. Other companies publicly supporting AB 206 include MGM Resorts International, which is Nevada’s largest employer; Barrick Gold Corporation, an international mining company with more than 3,000 Nevada employees; and Zappos.com the Las Vegas-based retail company.
“Nevada lawmakers should respond to the calls of the business community and increase the state’s renewable portfolio standard,” said Alli Gold Roberts, senior manager of state policy at Ceres, a sustainability nonprofit organization working with investors and companies to build leadership and drive clean energy solutions throughout the economy. “A stronger standard will provide companies with additional policy certainty and help the state compete in today’s global economy. "
Advocates for Nevada’s clean energy economy applauded the wide support from businesses throughout the state.
A recent analysis by the Natural Resources Defense Council estimated that the strengthened clean energy standard would attract more than $3 billion in capital investments to Nevada. The state’s standard, which was one of the first in the nation when established in 1997, has helped attract some $6 billion in investment and build a job base of more than 20,000 workers in energy efficiency and solar energy alone.
Ceres is a sustainability nonprofit organization working with the most influential investors and companies to build leadership and drive solutions throughout the economy.
