Nevada Governor Signs Bill Increasing State RPS
On June 8, 2009 Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons signed into law SB 395, a comprehensive energy bill that contains a variety of climate-related provisions, including the extension and increase of Nevada’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), a new permitting system for renewable facilities, energy efficiency measures for public facilities, and measures designed to curb greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from vehicles. In 2005, Nevada established an RPS calling for 20 percent of electricity to come from renewable sources by 2015; the new RPS requires 25 percent by 2025. The RPS calls for 6 percent to come from solar resources by 2016, an increase from 5 percent by 2015 required by the previous RPS. The legislation also establishes a different permitting system to expedite the development of renewable energy facilities.
The legislation creates appliance efficiency standards that state agencies must adhere to when purchasing new appliances or equipment that use electricity or fossil fuels. It also calls for the adoption of green building standards aimed at improving energy and water efficiency in new and renovated state buildings.
The legislation also attempts to curb GHG emissions from the transportation sector by requiring all vehicle dealers to disclose the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from new vehicles offered for sale beginning with model year 2012 onward. Vehicle dealers will be required to prominently display emissions data on their vehicles.