Leaders From Public and Private Sectors Showcase Clean Energy and Sustainability Solutions at Nevada Sustainability Summit

July 10, 2024 /3BL/ - Leaders in Nevada’s public and private sectors convened for the Nevada Sustainability Summit: Upping the Game. The event highlighted efforts and opportunities to grow the state’s economy by addressing sustainability challenges like climate change, water scarcity, and energy demand.

A recording of the final session, a fireside chat with Nevada Governor’s Office of Energy Director Dwayne McClinton, Caleb Cage, executive director of the Nevada Battery Coalition, and Rose McKinney James, managing principal of Energy Works LLC and McKinney-James & Associates and former Commissioner of the Nevada Public Service Commission, can be seen here.

The Nevada Sustainability Summit was held at Lee’s Family Forum in Henderson and hosted by Ceres, Lee’s Family Forum, and the Vegas Golden Knights.

The Golden Knights recently announced the Knight SHIELD Project, with SHIELD an acronym for the program’s key areas of focus: Sustainability, Healthy Air, Improve and Inspire, Energy and Water Efficiency, Landscape Protection and Decrease Waste Generation. This event showcased some of the sustainability efforts incorporated in the construction and operation of Lee’s Family Forum.

“Nevada stands at the epicenter of global sustainability solutions, balancing its rich natural resources with formidable challenges in climate, water, energy, and air pollution,” said Mel Mackin, interim director of state policy, Ceres. “This unique position – as well as several major private-sector investments in the state to build clean technology – makes Nevada a crucial player in tackling the planet's most urgent challenges. The Nevada Sustainability Summit showcased efforts in the state to grow the state’s economy by addressing these challenges and further strengthen the partnership between leaders in the public and private sectors to achieve those goals.”

“We appreciate the public and private leaders, including Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo, who joined us at Lee’s Family Forum for the Nevada Sustainability Summit and thank Ceres and GOAL for their leadership in the event. The Vegas Golden Knights strive to be champions both on the ice and in the community, and our efforts with the Knight SHIELD Project continue to grow as we work to be leaders in sustainability,” said Vegas Golden Knights President & CEO Kerry Bubolz. 

The event included participants from across Nevada’s public and private sectors. Featured speakers included:

• Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo
• Nevada Governor’s Office of Energy Director Dwayne McClinton
• Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development Executive Director Tom Burns
• Caleb Cage, Executive Director, Nevada Battery Coalition
• Anthony Casciano, Siemens Financial Services, Inc. President and CEO
• Rachelle Reyes Wenger, Vice President, Public Policy & Advocacy Engagement, CommonSpirit System
• Michael Gulich, Vice President of Sustainability, MGM Resorts International
• Tom Clark, Reno + Sparks Chamber of Commerce Board Member
• Rose McKinney James, Managing Principal of Energy Works LLC and McKinney-James & Associates, former Commissioner of the Nevada Public Service Commission

"The Nevada Governor's Office of Energy is pleased to work with the state's business leaders to leverage federal investments that will help us build the thriving energy economy that Nevadans need and deserve. Nevada is already seeing significant private sector investments focused on capturing Nevada's natural clean energy potential, lowering energy costs for Nevada families and businesses, bringing jobs to our communities across the state. We look forward to continuing this critical collaboration with business partners to ensure Nevada is an economic leader on delivering sustainable, reliable, and affordable energy sources,” said Nevada Governor’s Office of Energy Director Dwayne McClinton.

“Nevada's wealth of natural resources sets us up to be ground zero for the nation’s way towards U.S. energy independence. By leveraging federal initiatives, Nevada is well positioned to capitalize on its potential to effectively participate in the economy’s energy transition. We have an opportunity to build on this momentum and ensure Nevada is ready to attract the fast-growing clean tech and manufacturing industries to generate economic growth and the well-paying jobs that come with it," said Nevada Governor's Office of Economic Development Executive Director Tom Burns.

“Nevada is emerging as the leading lithium battery center in North America, and the industry is only poised to grow from here. The current investment in this industry has produced profoundly positive environmental, economic, and national security advantages for the state. We are thrilled to be here with so many private and public sector partners to find opportunities to support this thriving industry and strengthen workforce and economic development to communities statewide can reap the benefits,” said Caleb Cage, executive director of the Nevada Battery Coalition. 

"Today’s summit underscored the critical collaboration between the public and private sectors in achieving decarbonization and adaptation goals, with various success stories that serve as blueprints for deploying an effective ecosystem. Sustainability-focused lenders like Siemens Financial Services can help empower Nevada businesses and enable their adoption of cost-efficient green technologies. The tools, technology, and capital are there—it’s for our mutual benefit to leverage our collective strengths to streamline the process and enhance accessibility," said Anthony Casciano, President and CEO of Siemens Financial Services, Inc.

“We’re thrilled to help connect the platform of Vegas Golden Knights teams and venues to opportunities that inspire and change the industry on sustainability and specifically in clean energy! While our team advises them on how to take action in venue operations and community impacts, through [this summit], we also see how they are able to use their power to convene leaders on this critical topic for their region!” said Kristen Fulmer, Head of Sustainability for Oak View Group & Director of GOAL (Green Operations & Advanced Leadership).

The Nevada Sustainability Summit came amid a national surge in clean energy investment that has greatly benefited the state. Since the summer of 2022, when the nation’s largest-ever clean energy legislation passed into law, Nevada has secured more than $14.5 billion in new clean energy investments, which are projected to create more than 20,000 new jobs. The Nevada Sustainability Summit will celebrate this success while exploring further opportunities to grow the state’s sustainable economy.

About Ceres

Ceres is a nonprofit advocacy organization working to accelerate the transition to a cleaner, more just, and sustainable world. United under a shared vision, our powerful networks of investors and companies are proving sustainability is the bottom line—changing markets and sectors from the inside out. For more information, visit ceres.org.

Media Contact: Helen Booth-Tobin, booth-tobin@ceres.org