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Nevada Conservation League sets 2025 policy priorities
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The Nevada Conservation League says its policy priorities for this year's legislative session reflect what Nevadans value - protecting the state's unique landscapes and wildlife, ensuring families can afford to power their homes, and advancing the state's clean energy economy.
The league's Deputy Director, Christi Cabrera-Georgeson, said recent polling finds that Nevadans want lawmakers to do more to expand clean energy and hold monopoly utility companies accountable.
But with Democratic majorities in both legislative chambers, a Republican governor, and a president that is stepping away from global climate action, it is uncertain if progress in the Silver State could be derailed.
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Cabrera-Georgeson said the league won't sit back.
"Nevadans continue to really support clean energy," said Cabrera-Georgeson. "They want lower bills, they want utilities held accountable and they want a cleaner grid. All of this was very overwhelmingly supported - whether that be Democrats, Republicans, or nonpartisans, really across the board - these clean-energy issues are popular."
That is why Cabrera-Georgeson said one of the league's legislative priorities will focus on ratepayer protections.
It's working to ensure utilities such as NV Energy and Southwest Gas spend ratepayer dollars responsibly.
Utilities claim they need to increase rates to ensure quality service, but Cabrera-Georgeson said more transparency of funds is needed.
Most of Nevada is made up of public lands. But conservationists are concerned about how these lands, as well as national monuments, could be impacted under Trump's pro-fossil fuel agenda.
Just last week the Trump administration called for a review of protections of national monuments.
But for Cabrera-Georgeson, a native Nevadan, having access to the great outdoors is part of the Nevada way of life.
"I don't think I know a single person that doesn't do some kind of outdoor recreation," said Cabrera-Georgeson. "It is really part of Nevada, and we'll continue to push back on any effort to take away our access to public lands, to take away our access to clean air, clean water, and a healthy environment."
Another hot-button issue taking center stage this legislative session will be affordable housing. Cabrera-Georgeson said the NCL has asked policymakers to not pit public lands against the housing issue.
"Ultimately, we can absolutely have both," said Cabrera-Georgeson. "We have affordable housing, we can have affordable utility bills and we can also protect our public lands and make sure we continue to have access to the outdoors for all Nevadans."