Republican Governor Joe Lombardo has withdrawn Nevada from the U.S. Climate Alliance, a bipartisan coalition of over two dozen governors who committed to reduce greenhouse gas emission by at least 26-28 percent from 2005 levels by the year 2025, as outlined by the Paris Agreement. Established in 2016, the overarching goal of the Paris Agreement is to reduce the Earth’s temperatures through “economic and social transformation, based on the best available science.”

In 2019, Democratic Governor Steve Sisolak joined the alliance and signed a series of related “green agreements” to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The net-zero strategy would phase out natural gas.

Upon his inauguration, Lombardo released his own executive order (see below) on state energy that outlined and focused on “developing and maintaining a diverse energy supply portfolio” in Nevada. Lombardo emphasized “utilizing a balanced approach to electric and natural gas energy supply and transportation fuels” for Nevada’s energy needs. Within the order, Lombardo highlighted that his energy policies will ensure “Nevadans and businesses will have diverse energy options including gas and electric” and support “Nevada’s objectives of reliability, affordability, and sustainability.”

In his July 5 letter withdrawing Nevada from the U.S. Climate Alliance, Lombardo stated that the goals of the alliance are “ambitious and well-intentioned” but that they “conflict with Nevada’s energy policy objectives.”

The withdrawal has outraged progressive organizations and environmental non profits.

The Executive Director of Nevada’s Conservation League, Paul Selberg, stated that Governor Lombardo’s move is a step backward and undermines the voices of Nevadans who support climate action.

We are outraged by Governor Lombardo’s nonsensical withdrawal of Nevada from the U.S. Climate Alliance. He took this action without consulting everyday Nevadans, advocacy groups, or leaders within the environmental community, and it contradicts his own administration’s goals of economic diversification through clean energy.

The actions and goals outlined through the Climate Alliance are critical to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and staving off the worst impacts of the climate crisis. While Nevada is being hit hard with record temperatures and soaring energy bills, Lombardo is putting utilities and their profits first. This is a step backward and undermines the voices of Nevadans who consistently support clean energy and climate action.