IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Governor Sisolak signs on to letter to President, Secretary of Commerce concerning solar tariff investigation

(CARSON CITY, Nev.) May 16, 2022

Today, Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak sent a letter to President Joe Biden and U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo with deep concern over the impact of the recent decision by the United States Department of Commerce to investigate imported solar products. The Governor was joined by 18 fellow Governors across the nation.

“This decision has created market uncertainty that threatens thousands of clean energy jobs and the deployment of solar projects across the nation,” the letter states. “As Governors, we support the growth of the domestic solar industry and recognize solar power as a key piece of our collective push for domestic energy security and independence. Growth in domestic solar manufacturing is equally as critical and provides tremendous economic development opportunities in our states.”

Solar energy is Nevada’s leading renewable energy resource, and its development is an important strategy for reaching the State’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets and for achieving the State’s renewable portfolio standard of 50 percent clean energy by 2030.

A recent analysis showed that Nevada has the largest solar economy in the nation.

Thanks to partial tax abatements and the state’s abundant sunshine, Nevada is committed to investing in our clean energy economy.

In 2021, the Governor’s Office of Energy approved partial tax abatements for projects that will invest a total of $1.5 billion in Nevada’s economy, and create an estimated 853 construction jobs and 29 operational jobs in the state. These new projects will add 1,166 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy capacity to Nevada’s existing capacity of just under 5,000 MW.

Clean energy is an investment in our economy, and according to American Clean Power, $15.8 million in property, state and local taxes were invested into Nevada communities, thanks to renewable energy.

According to American Clean Power, today, clean energy generated in Nevada can power more than 700,000 homes, and that is largely thanks to solar.

A copy of the letter is attached as a PDF.

Contact

Meghin Delaney
Communications Director