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Friday, June 2, 2023

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A Wisconsin group criticizes two of its members of Congress, a new report says the Phoenix area cannot meet its groundwater demands, and Nevada's sporting community sends its priorities to the governor.

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The Senate aims to get the debt limit spending bill to President Biden's desk quickly, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis makes a campaign stop in Iowa, and a new survey finds most straight adults support LGBTQ+ rights.

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Oregon may expand food stamp eligibility to some undocumented households, rural areas have a new method of accessing money for roads and bridges, and Tennessee's new online tool helps keep track of cemetery locations.

Earth Day in NV: 'Don't Give In to Climate Despair'

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Friday, April 21, 2023   

Tomorrow is Earth Day, a day to show support for protecting the planet, and one Nevada lawmaker wants Nevadans to give some thought to actions they could take to help fight climate change.

Asm. Howard Watts, D-Las Vegas, wants to see more community members engaging with elected officials to continue the push for a clean energy future. Watts, who also sits on the council for the group Elected Officials to Protect America, said it will take huge federal policies like the Inflation Reduction Act, but also measures at the state and local level to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.

He adds it is crucial to not lose hope.

"We've seen constant reports about how we're feeling the impacts of climate change," Watts observed. "Now, we know that those impacts are going to get worse, but some of these policies that have been recently passed have the opportunity to put us on a much better trajectory."

Nevada has set a goal to get half of its energy from clean, renewable sources by 2030 and is reaching for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and 100% clean energy by 2050. Watts noted the state has made "strong progress," and calls the Inflation Reduction Act funding "incredible" in helping the efforts.

Watts pointed to the Clark County School District in Las Vegas as just one example of deployment of clean technology, getting funding to convert several of their buses to electric. Watts stressed he is excited about the rebate programs and tax credits coming online to, as he puts it, "help make clean energy available to the average Nevada family."

"Policies that increase our use of our local clean energy resources are incredibly popular, not only because it's good for the environment, but because it creates jobs and new economic opportunities," Watts contended.

Watts added he is convinced Nevadans want "climate action," which he describes as reducing the state's contribution to climate change. He cited other closely related issues constituents feel strongly about, including drought and wildfires leading Nevada to experience some of the "worst air quality in the world."


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