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OPINION: A vision for smart-from-the-start solar on public lands in Nevada – The Nevada Independent

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OPINION: A vision for smart-from-the-start solar on public lands in Nevada – The Nevada Independent


Climate change is front and center in Nevada. But so are solutions. Here are the facts. In Western states, such as Nevada, climate change has warmed the state by 1 to 2 degrees in the last century. Increased heat waves are becoming common, snowpack is melting earlier in spring and less water flows through the waterways feeding our lands. Rising temperatures and recent droughts in the region have increased the risk of wildfires. In the coming decades, the changing climate is likely to decrease water availability, further increase risks to habitat loss and endanger sensitive plant and animal species. 

We know burning fossil fuels is driving climate change and we know we need a rapid transition to a renewable energy economy — for the sake of our climate, the air we breathe, water we drink and all-around community health. But decarbonizing the energy sector should not harm the West’s lands, waters, biodiversity or communities. 

For these reasons, conservation nonprofits formed a Nevada-focused Smart from the Start Coalition: a network of environmental, sporting and environmental justice organizations with a goal to drive responsible renewable energy development in Nevada through legislation and state and federal land use planning efforts. Responsible, smart renewable energy siting is a result of two things: thoughtful collaboration between all impacted communities and stakeholders, including tribes, and holistic consideration of all the environmental, cultural, community and climate resilience values of public lands.

Currently, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is proposing an update to the Western Solar Plan via its draft Solar Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (Solar PEIS) and is seeking public input. The agency is accepting public comments on the draft plan until April 18. The BLM’s proposed updates will establish a framework for how utility-scale solar development will be deployed on federal public land, including in Nevada. 

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While it neither approves nor guarantees approval of any proposed projects, the Western Solar Plan is the important first step of drawing guiding lines on the map and codifying guidance for how the BLM should approach project application reviews. The Solar PEIS will identify low conflict areas where applications for solar development will be accepted and will exclude areas that the BLM already knows are not suitable for solar development.

Together, with the BLM’s newly finalized Renewable Energy Rule, the solar programmatic environmental impact statement will help facilitate the responsible buildout of renewable energy projects on public lands at the pace needed to surpass the statutory goal of permitting 25 gigawatts on public lands by 2025, also a part of the president’s nationwide goal of 100 percent clean electricity by 2035.  

The BLM intends to meet our nation’s renewable energy goals through the deployment of well-sited solar energy projects on 700,000 acres of BLM-managed land by 2045 across the West. As a nation, we have an opportunity to address climate change by thoughtfully embracing the renewable energy potential on public lands. The Nevada Smart From the Start Coalition is advocating to get there by guiding solar applications toward lands that are the lowest conflict and previously disturbed or degraded. 

Nevada has seen the impacts of climate change in many ways. Erratic rains have produced several flooding events damaging homes, businesses and outdoor recreation opportunities. Reno and Las Vegas are two of the fastest warming cities in the nation, leaving low-income residents struggling to keep pace with energy bills to cool their homes. 

Nevada can continue to tap into its vast potential for solar and address the climate crisis, however, proposed renewable energy projects must be planned to reduce impacts on the landscape. As utility-scale solar projects continue in the state, we must consider smart-from-the-start principles to avoid and minimize impacts to the landscape and provide ample opportunities for meaningful community input.

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BLM’s update to the Western Solar Plan is a chance to chart a path forward that works for our state and the lands we know and love. Right now, we have an opportunity to help shape what that final plan looks like. 

Russell Kuhlman is the executive director of the Nevada Wildlife Federation.

Jaina Moan is the Nevada external affairs director for The Nature Conservancy.

Jose Witt is the Mojave Desert landscape director for The Wilderness Society.

The Nevada Independent welcomes informed, cogent rebuttals to opinion pieces such as this. Send them to [email protected].

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10-month-old found safe, North Las Vegas police cancel AMBER Alert

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10-month-old found safe, North Las Vegas police cancel AMBER Alert


Authorities have canceled an AMBER Alert after they say a 10-month-old child taken by a non-custodial parent was found safe.

North Las Vegas Police said Thursday that Leilani Williams (aka Leilani Duke) was taken by her father, Roderick Duke.

Duke and Leilani were last seen at an apartment complex in the area of Martin L. King Boulevard and Cheyenne Avenue at 1:40 a.m.

“An AMBER Alert has been activated due to Roderick being in emotional crisis and making threats to harm himself and 10-month-old Leilani,” NLVPD said in a statement.

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By 10:05 a.m., NLVPD said that Leilani was located unharmed.

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Officers took Duke into custody without further incident, and the AMBER Alert has been canceled.



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California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks to Nevada Democrats in Las Vegas

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California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks to Nevada Democrats in Las Vegas


California Gov. Gavin Newsom addressed Nevada Democrats who packed a Las Vegas brewery Wednesday evening for a discussion about his upbringing, his political life and efforts his state has taken to combat the Trump administration agenda.

Newsom, who has been floated as a possible White House contender for 2028, sidestepped a quip from former Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak who introduced him as the next U.S. president amid cheers from the crowd.

“I’m very grateful for your friendship, and a friendship that’s only strengthened over the course of the last year or so,” Newsom told Sisolak.

Book tour stop

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The event, which served as a book tour stop for the California governor, was organized by the Nevada Democratic Party. It took place at Nevada Brew Works near Summerlin.

Nevada Assemblymember Daniele Monroe-Moreno, the state party chair running for North Las Vegas mayor, moderated the discussion.

It was part of the party’s Local Brews + National Views series that’s been bringing Democrats for similar discussions at intimate venues. Past speakers have included former President Joe Biden, Arizona U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly, and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker.

Criticizing President Donald Trump, Newsom spoke about the immediate aftermath of the 2024 general election.

“We were handwringing, a lot of finger pointing, and a sense of weakness,” Newsom said. “And just incapable of dealing with this moment, this existential moment.”

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He said he is taking account for what he described as his own complicity.

“This happened on my watch. This is all happening on our watch,” Newsom said. “And so I realized that I needed to be better.”

That included his advocacy to redraw California’s Congressional map after Trump called for the same in Texas, he said.

“They’re not screwing around, nor are we,” he said about Trump and his administration. “All of us.”

‘You’re giving us a voice’

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Newsom spoke out against the surge of federal immigration enforcement operations in California and later Minnesota, calls from the Trump administration to nationalize elections, and cuts to government funding due to the One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act.

He said that pushback against Trump’s policies, including dozens of lawsuits filed by California, were making the president retreat on some of his proposals and policies.

“You’re filling the void, you’re giving us a voice, you’re giving us courage,” he told the crowd. “For things to change, we have to change. And it’s changing.”

The Republican National Committee reacted to Newsom’s Las Vegas visit. Earlier in the day, Newsom attended a private Boulder City event.

“Democrats are selling out to the spoiled, phony rich kid governor from California for years,” RNC spokesperson Nick Poche wrote in a statement. “President Donald Trump and Republicans are delivering major tax cuts and keeping Nevadans safe, unlike Democrats.”

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The national Republican Party also criticized California’s policies, and tied them back to Nevada Democrats.

Most of Newsom’s remarks weren’t specific to Nevada. He didn’t take any questions from media.

Polling shows Newsom and Vice President JD Vance leading in hypothetical races for their parties’ nomination. That includes a survey of likely Nevada voters conducted one by Emerson College Polling in November.

Contact Ricardo Torres-Cortez at rtorres@reviewjournal.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

 

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Second annual Nevada Nordic Freeheel Festival celebrates Tahoe winter recreation at SnowFest

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Second annual Nevada Nordic Freeheel Festival celebrates Tahoe winter recreation at SnowFest


INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – It’s time to “free your heels” and embrace Tahoe’s winter recreation at the Nevada Nordic Freeheel Festival on March 7. Whether you’re a seasoned pro at cross-country skiing or snowshoeing, or you’re trying to get your feet wet, Saturday’s event is teeming with nature, brews, and camaraderie. 

The Nevada Nordic Freeheel Festival takes place Saturday, March 7
Provided/SnowFest

Travel North Tahoe Nevada (TNTNV) is teaming up with Nevada Nordic, Tahoe Multisport, Alibi Ale Works, UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center, Nevada Division of Outdoor Recreation and other local partners in the wondrous Tahoe Meadows, providing attendees a chance to engage with outdoor recreation experts, check out free cross-country and snowshoe rentals, and more.

“We’re excited to see the Nevada Nordic Freeheel Festival enter its second year, building on last year’s strong community response. In collaboration with our local partners, this event is thoughtfully curated with residents in mind – offering free equipment for the day, expert instruction, locally crafted brews, and other experiences in a welcoming setting,” said Andy Chapman, President and CEO of Travel North Tahoe Nevada. “It’s designed to make it easy for residents to get outside, try something new, and bring people together. Events like this reflect the spirit of North Lake Tahoe and what’s possible when our community comes together.”



Along with opportunities to test out free demos and rentals, there will be live music, beer tasting and races.

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Tahoe Meadows is known for its gentle trails, and is a popular spot for snowshoeing due to its flat terrain. This event, located near Chickadee Ridge, will offer stunning views of the surrounding mountains. 



This family-friendly event is on the second to last day of the 10-day SnowFest winter festival that’s been taking place in the North Lake Tahoe area. It starts bright and early at 9 a.m. and will close out at 2 p.m.

“Nevada Nordic is thrilled to be a part of SnowFest again this year,” said Meghan Pry, Nevada Nordic Board Member. “We love sharing our passion for cross-country skiing and watching our community grow. We are proud to keep winter recreation accessible by offering free access to our 20km trail network. This is the perfect opportunity for our community to gather together and free our heels!”

For more information about the Nevada Nordic Freeheel Festival or to check out the SnowFest schedule, visit tahoesnowfest.org

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