FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 30, 2022
Contact:
Angie Dykema, Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP)
adykema@swenergy.org
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[RENO, NV] – As Governor Sisolak hosts an Infrastructure Summit in Las Vegas, the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project and Western Resource Advocates called on state, tribal, city, and county leaders to take full advantage of the incredible opportunities presented by the federal Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure law to build a better future for people all across the region.
The groups delivered a letter to dozens of elected officials, noting that “new federal funds have enormous potential to save residents and businesses money on energy and transportation, create new jobs and expand prosperity – while also improving our health and protecting our climate. However, how states and local governments choose to implement new policies will have a large effect on their overall impact.”
In the letter, the groups urged state and local leaders to maximize the benefits of new federal funds by aiming to:
- Save people money by reducing consumption of fuel and increasing renewable energy;
- Create green jobs and help residents find work in sustainable, forward-looking careers;
- Reduce climate-changing pollution in line with state, national and international climate preservation goals;
- Improve public health by investing in opportunities to cut soot and smog pollution;
- Advance equity by targeting programs and investments toward communities that have historically been left behind or subjected to disproportionate negative impacts; and to
- Do no harm by refraining from investing in projects that actively increase pollution, increase or extend reliance on fossil fuels, waste money, deepen inequities or impede a just transition for workers.
“This is a once-in-a-generation chance to imagine what a better future for Nevada looks like, and then to make it real,” said Elise Jones, Executive Director of the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project. “We’ve got to get it right.”
“These transformative investments put us on a path towards real solutions to the climate crisis,” said Pat O’Connell, Interim Clean Energy Director at Western Resource Advocates. “It’s an unprecedented opportunity, and as billions of dollars flow to states and local governments, it is critical that decision-makers work with stakeholders across their communities to make the best choices. This is their chance to identify and implement projects that advance the clean energy transition, provide equitable benefits to all people, create new good-paying jobs, and improve the resiliency of communities already experiencing the impacts of climate change.”
The letter outlines some of the many new opportunities available to state and local leaders, including:
- Large new rebate programs to help improve building energy efficiency and accelerate the deployment of efficient, electric appliances to save money, increase comfort and reduce pollution;
- Billions of dollars to invest in cheaper, cleaner electric vehicles, as well as money that could go toward transit, biking, and walking to give more people access to mobility and reduce the need to drive;
- Incentives to build compact, location-efficient cities and towns where residents can accomplish their daily tasks with less time, money and pollution.
- New and upgraded tax credits and funds to increase the supply of clean electricity and energy storage, and integrate that into our electric system by improving the flexibility, resiliency, and efficiency of the power grid and investing in grid expansion;
- New funding and incentives to improve industrial operations through efficiency and clean energy; and
- Billions of dollars that leaders can use to facilitate a Just Transition by helping workers and communities successfully benefit from progress toward a clean energy future, especially where legacy facilities are closing.
The letter notes that there are resources available to help local governments navigate important decisions and access new grants, such as the Local Infrastructure Hub (localinfrastructure.org). The non-profit organizations that drafted the letter plan to work with state and local officials to provide advice and assistance toward maximizing overall benefits.
