Nevada is not on track to meet its greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets, according to a report released today from the Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Governor’s Office of Energy.
The 2021 Nevada Statewide Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory and Projections — which tracks Nevada’s progress in GHG emissions reductions — indicates shortcomings by the state to adhere to its energy goals.
Nevada’s established GHG reduction targets are listed as percentages under 2005 emissions levels. Its goal for 2025 is to be 29% below 2005 emissions levels and in 2030 be 45% below.
But with existing policies, Nevada will not meet these reduction targets, instead stooping six percentage points below its 2025 goal at 23% and 21 percentage points below its 2030 goals at 24%.
The annual report, published by the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection, is part of Gov. Steve Sisolak’s Nevada Climate Initiative. The initiative requires the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to release a report, at least every four years, about the state’s greenhouse gases as well as a 20-year projection of these emissions.
The report says transportation will continue as the greatest-emitting sector through 2041. GHGs from the industrial sector are additionally projected to be the most rapidly increasing source of emissions under current policies.
Also, the report states that emissions from the residential and commercial sectors will likely increase from 12% to 17% by 2041. This growth is attributed to projected population and economic growth. Nevada’s population grew from 2,700,551 to 3,143,991, according to Census data as of July 1, 2021.
“Continued decarbonization of the electricity generation sector is needed to realize greater carbon reduction benefits of transportation electrification,” a statement with the report stated today.
Solutions
The report outlines several policies the state should adopt to meet its GHG emissions reduction targets. The policies are suggestions needing “further evaluation to determine whether additional planning, legal review, economic impact and (cost-benefit) analyses, regulation, and/or legislation may be required prior to implementation.”
In economy-wide policies, the report states market-based mechanisms and integrating the social cost of GHG emissions into planning could be impactful and in governance, adopting lead-by-example programs for state and local governments, establishing a clean energy workforce development program and establishing state climate governance structure centered on equity, environmental justice and economic recovery.
In transportation, Nevada enacted a California light-duty vehicle emission policy and closed emissions inspection loopholes for classic cars license plates. The report recommends it also adopt next generation vehicle emission standards and low-carbon fuel standards, implement state car allowance rebate systems, and reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and expand mass transit among other suggestions.
“Nevada will use these resources to help define a pathway to meet its GHG emissions reduction targets, and ultimately reach net-zero, in partnership with state and local agencies, tribal partners, stakeholder groups, the business sector, university and scientific experts, and the public,” the statement said.