Local climate advocates applaud Nevada senators as major climate bill becomes law
Members of the Carson City chapter of Citizens’ Climate Lobby are thrilled that Nevada Senators Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen helped pave the way for the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 to become law.
The historic bill, which was signed into law by President Biden Tuesday after passing the Senate and the House, will put the U.S. on a path to at least “40% emissions reduction by 2030, and represents the single biggest climate investment in U.S. history, by far,” according to this summary from Senate Democrats. Much of that investment is in the form of significant clean energy tax credits. The bill also includes a rising fee on methane pollution, showing the power of putting a price on greenhouse gas emissions.
“Our volunteers in Nevada have worked tirelessly to build political will for bold climate policy and have met with our senators’ office several times over the last year,” said Rob Bastien, leader of the Carson City chapter of CCL. “We are grateful that Senators Cortez Masto and Rosen met the moment to pass legislation that will significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions.”
Among many other measures, the legislation will “provide a range of incentives to consumers to relieve the high costs of energy and decrease utility bills,” which will directly help households in Carson City and the surrounding areas.
“Here in Nevada, we’re seeing the worst drought in 1200 years. Just yesterday, federal water managers cut Nevada’s allocation of water from the Colorado River by 8% because we are facing critically low water levels at Lake Mead and Lake Powell,” said Bastien. “We know that slowing emissions is essential to stop the warming that is exacerbating climate extremes all around the world.”
This legislation would not have moved forward without the broad political support for ambitious climate action that CCLers across the country helped build. Nationwide, volunteers made over 7,000 calls and emails to members of Congress in the days leading up to the Senate vote. Their messages urged ambition on climate and helped Congress arrive at this moment.