Gov Lombardo Announces Executive Action To Advance Energy Independence

Hang on to your gas stoves, Nevadans.

Republican Governor Joe Lombardo announced an executive order (see below) outlining his “balanced” state energy policy objectives for the next decade–a multi-faceted approach to include solar, wind, geothermal, hydropower, natural gas, hydrogen, and energy storage. The order also highlights energy policies that will ensure Nevadans and businesses will have diverse energy options including gas and electric.

Due to the bipartisan passage of Senate Bill 358 in 2019, which established a goal to achieve a 50 percent renewal energy portfolio standard by 2030, Lombardo contends state energy policies “must pursue a balanced approach to energy use and development” and support “Nevada’s objectives of reliability, affordability, and sustainability.”

Section 2 of the order provides that Nevada will “develop sufficient in-state electric generation resources to ensure the needs of all Nevadans are met and ensure that Nevada has sufficient electric generation recourses to mitigate the risk of energy markets not having sufficient electric energy supplies during peak usage.”

The following statement was released by his office this afternoon:

Today, Governor Joe Lombardo announced Executive Order 2023-007, which outlines his state energy policy objectives for the next decade. The Executive Order highlights Governor Lombardo’s multifaceted approach to state energy policy and fulfills his promise made in his State of the State speech to address energy objectives through an executive order.

Per Executive Order 2023-007, the state’s energy policy will be focused on developing and maintaining a robust, diverse energy supply portfolio and a balanced approach to electric and natural gas energy supply and transportation fuels. Additionally, Nevada’s energy portfolio will work to advance sustainability and reliability by including solar, wind, geothermal, hydropower, natural gas, hydrogen, energy storage, and other resources needed to meet the vast energy demands in the state.

The executive order also requires that state energy policies work to ensure all Nevada consumers and businesses continue to have diverse energy options available to them, including electric and natural gas service and energy efficiency and renewable energy resources.

“Governor Lombardo’s energy policy objectives provide a critical framework for the future of energy in Nevada,” said Dwayne McClinton, the Director of the Governor’s Office of Energy. “I look forward to partnering with Governor Lombardo to achieve his energy objectives through thoughtful and effective policy implementation.”