Nevada is in crisis. It is the driest state in the United States, home to two of the fastest-warming cities in the nation, and plagued by some of the worst air quality in the country. The state is also facing mounting threats from catastrophic wildfire, dwindling water supply, extreme temperatures, and long-term drought. These challenges don’t just pose theoretical threats to jobs and public health, and the damage is not only a concern for the future. Nevadans are suffering right now: premature deaths, chronic health issues, far-reaching economic hardships, loss of tax revenue, and risks of collapsing ecosystems on which the state depends.
The causes of these unprecedented problems are not independent of each other or a mystery: They are the predictable outcomes of extended reliance on expensive and polluting energy sources to power electricity, buildings, transportation, and industries — an approach that no longer makes economic sense. Once a leader in adopting the next generation of stable, reliable, and affordable energy resources, Nevada was on a clear path to securing a better, more resilient future for its residents. Today, despite the availability of several proven strategies to tackle these challenges, the state is missing pollution reductions milestones, which could leave Nevada stuck in the past.
Nevada still has the chance to right its course and chart a path toward a future that is not only sustainable, but abundant. And it will take tireless work from regulators, elected leaders, conservation groups, and people like you to get there. Read WRA’s latest report to learn more.
