Nevada Senate All For 50% RE For State By 2030

• Nevada state in the US has approved the renewable portfolio standard of 50% renewable energy share in the total mix by 2030, along with 100% carbon-free electricity by 2050
• It has been passed by the Nevada state senate as well as signed by Governor Steve Sisolak
• Senate of state of Washington has also approved 100% renewables target to be achieved by 2045; Governor Jay Inslee is expected to put his signature on the same soon

The senate of US state Nevada has unanimously approved a goal of generating 50% power from renewables by 2030 and also go in for 100% carbon-free electricity by 2050. Senate Bill 358 (SB 358) has also been signed by state Governor Steve Sisolak.

The renewable portfolio standard (RPS) of 50% renewables by 2030 replaces the one Nevada enacted in 2017 under which it aimed for 25% share. It will apply to not only state utility NV Energy, but also all electricity providers, including electric cooperatives and retail power marketers, according to Utility Dive. Nevada's generation mix currently has 20% renewables share with solar dominating at 50.5%, followed by 41.34% geothermal power and 3.3% hydropower.

The state administration believes meeting the targets set out in the new RPS would mean the number of clean energy jobs will grow from 32,000 at the end of 2018 by an additional 11,170 full-time jobs until 2030 and generate $539 million in wages and $1.5 billion in economic activity.

In December 2018, the state Public Utilities Commission approved NV Energy's Integrated Resource Plan paving the way for over 1 GW of new solar power and 100 MW battery storage capacity to come online by 2021 (see NV Energy To Build Over 1 GW Solar In Nevada).

Nevada is targeting a 50% renewables share by 2030 and 100% carbon-free electricity by 2050, like a few others that leave the door open for nuclear and carbon storage and sequestration (see New Mexico On Course For 100% Clean Energy).There are also example that more committed like Puerto Rico, which in mid-April 2019, adopted a full 100% renewables target by 2050 (see Puerto Rico Governor Signs 100% RE Bill Into Law).

Washington aims for 100% clean energy by 2045

In late April, Washington State, had its senate pass a law for the north western US state to have 100% clean energy to be achieved by 2045. The bill is now waiting to be signed by Governor Jay Inslee who has been a vocal supporter of the bill. Washington State will also follow a path to a coal phase out by 2025, according to media reports.