Photo: US Senator from Nevada, Catherine Cortez Masto, from Wikimedia
With the cost of everything from a cup of coffee to back-to-school supplies on the rise, Nevadans are struggling to make ends meet. Soon, the Silver State may see another price increase: energy costs.
Our famously strong desert sun has become one of Nevada’s most valuable resources, making our state one of the in the country. Solar already generates of the Silver State’s energy, a win for consumers, given that solar is one of the forms of energy. Solar is good for Nevada. So why is President Trump attacking it?
In their so-called One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), President Trump and Congressional Republicans tax credits for job-creating solar projects that have been in effect for years, leaving consumers and businesses alike in limbo. Recently, President Trump declared that his administration would not approve new solar or wind , even as the cost of energy continues to rise.
Some of these policy changes will have direct impacts on Tribal communities beyond the increasing cost of energy. Funding for many projects undertaken by Tribes or Tribal-owned companies which would power Indian Country are during these uncertain times in the solar industry. The OBBBA also rolls back improvements to the Tribal Energy Loan Guarantee Program that I secured in 2023, making it harder for Tribes to achieve energy independence.
It’s important to be informed, and here is the truth. Solar and other forms of green energy are lowering costs for Nevadans and creating good-paying jobs. Despite this administration’s attacks on cheap, clean energy, I will continue fighting to expand the Silver State’s economy and lower costs for all Nevadans.
