Nevada utility regulators power electric transportation with approval of NV Energy’s $100M EV charging investment

Approval includes focus on underserved and low-income communities

CARSON CITY, NV – The Nevada Public Utilities Commission today authorized NV Energy to invest $100 million over the next three years in fueling infrastructure for electric cars and trucks. The Commission approved a plan by NV Energy to increase the availability of public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations along major travel corridors and at key destinations, while supporting transit agencies, school districts, local governments, and businesses to deploy EVs in their fleets.

“This is a smart investment in Nevada’s future,” said Cameron Dyer, Western Resource Advocates’ managing senior staff attorney in Nevada. “An M.J. Bradley & Associates analysis earlier this year found that Nevadans could realize $20 million in economic benefits through 2050 by moving from gas-powered cars to electric vehicles, and this transition will also reduce air pollution, improve public health, protect the climate, and make the electricity system more efficient. NV Energy’s investment in electric vehicle charging infrastructure is an important step to get more electric vehicles on our roads.”

NV Energy plans to make about half of the investments in or on behalf of historically underserved communities.

“All Nevadans deserve to participate in and benefit from the transition to electric transportation,” said Dr. Mary House, CEO of CHR, Inc. (Caring, Helping & Restoring Lives). “We need to ensure this new infrastructure is located in historically underserved communities, who can benefit most from transportation cost savings and cleaner air. This plan makes an important down payment toward that goal.”

Approval of NV Energy’s plan builds on the action Nevada recently took to require automakers to deliver more electric passenger vehicles to the state by adopting Clean Cars Nevada. It also paves the way for the introduction of clean, electric medium- and heavy-duty trucks to Nevada’s roads. In a recent op-ed in The Hill, Governor Steve Sisolak noted that accelerating the deployment of zero emission trucks is an important area for future policy action.

“People will benefit from this plan even if they don’t drive,” said Angie Dykema, Nevada Representative of the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project. “We estimate that Nevadans will save more than $3 billion on their electricity bills through 2050 as a result of widespread electric vehicle deployment. That’s because electric vehicles can help us get more value out of the investments we make in our electricity grid.”

“Protecting Nevada from the impacts of the climate crisis requires electric vehicles running on renewable energy,” said Elspeth Cordua DiMarzio, Senior Campaign Representative with Sierra Club. “This plan is a crucial step toward getting Nevada driving on sunshine and reducing the risk of future heat waves and wildfires.”

“Increased electric vehicles will help clean the air in Nevada’s cities, reducing the burden of asthma and other respiratory and cardiovascular diseases for our families,” said Melissa Ramos, Manager for Clean Air Advocacy with the American Lung Association. “This plan is an important investment in the health and wellbeing of all Nevadans.”

“More electric cars means more savings for Nevadans. Drivers stand to save more than $14 billion over the next 30 years in maintenance and fuel costs,” said Yara Marin, Regional Director at Vote Solar. “Nevadans can save even more by pairing their electric vehicle with rooftop solar. These savings, plus the estimated 25 new jobs per 1000 plug-in vehicles deployed in Nevada, is the kind of local economic investment that will have a lasting impact on our communities.”

The Nevada Legislature required NV Energy to develop and submit this plan for approval as part of Senate Bill 21-448

The Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP) is a public interest organization promoting greater energy efficiency in Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. swenergy.org

Western Resource Advocates works with policymakers and other advocates to advance clean energy; protect air, land, water, and wildlife; and sustain the lives and livelihoods of the West. westernresourceadvocates.org

The Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. sierraclub.org

CHR, Inc. is a faith-based nonprofit dedicated to caring, helping, and restoring the lives of the underemployed and the victims of domestic and sexual violence who are challenged with poor credit, homelessness, minimal job skills, education, and the confidence to break these barriers. chrinc.net

The American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through education, advocacy, and research. Their work is focused on four strategic imperatives: to defeat lung cancer; to champion clean air for all; to improve the quality of life for those with lung disease and their families; and to create a tobacco-free future. lung.org

Vote Solar is a national clean energy advocacy organization working to move the U.S. to a just, 100% renewable future through policy advocacy at the state level. votesolar.org