nevada
Newsletter
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The Senate race in Nevada pits renewable energy against fossil fuels
Democratic Senator Jacky Rosen and Republican challenger Sam Brown differ sharply on climate policy and the development of Nevada’s solar industry.
In short:
- Rosen supports the Inflation Reduction Act and policies promoting clean energy and solar panel imports, while Brown opposes solar expansion, claiming it harms Nevada’s landscape.
- Brown advocates for increasing domestic oil and gas production and has criticized renewable energy projects for benefiting California over Nevadans.
- Nevada, with vast public lands and abundant sunshine, is key to the national energy transition, but faces tension between renewable energy development and conservation.
Key quote:
“Nevada is leading the nation in building a robust clean energy economy, which is creating new good-paying jobs and lowering costs across my state.”
— Jacky Rosen, U.S. Senator
Why this matters:
Nevada’s Senate race could shape U.S. energy policy. If Brown wins, the state’s renewable energy sector may face setbacks, impacting climate efforts and job growth tied to solar energy expansion.
Related:
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Nevada encourages farmers to sell water rights to address groundwater depletion
Nevada's driest areas are testing a new program where farmers sell their water rights to reduce groundwater overuse and protect future agricultural prospects.
In short:
- Nevada's pilot program, funded with $25 million in federal aid, aims to purchase water rights from farmers to prevent aquifer depletion.
- The program received significant interest, with offers exceeding available funds, primarily from Diamond Valley farmers.
- Some farmers see selling water rights as a necessary adjustment, while others, especially older ones nearing retirement, find it a beneficial financial decision.
Key quote:
“We knew a lot of people moved to Nevada to farm, but we didn’t really think that many people would be successful or use their full allocations. They didn’t have the scientific understanding we do today.”
— Jeff Fontaine, the executive director of the Central Nevada Regional Water Authority
Why this matters:
Reducing groundwater use is vital for the sustainability of farming in Nevada's dry regions. Without these measures, over-pumping could lead to severe water shortages, threatening the future of agriculture and local communities.
Related EHN coverage:
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Newsletter
A Nevada community fights lithium mine to protect rare fish and water resources
A Nevada community is uniting to fight a proposed lithium mine that threatens the scarce water resources vital to the rare Devil’s Hole pupfish and other local species.
In short:
- The Ash Meadows Wildlife Refuge, known as the "Galapagos of the Mojave Desert," is home to 26 endemic species, including the endangered Devil’s Hole pupfish.
- A proposed lithium mine near the refuge could significantly deplete water resources, endangering the wildlife and local community wells already running dry.
- Local residents, environmentalists, and tribal leaders are leveraging the Endangered Species Act to oppose the mine, seeking federal intervention to protect the area.
Key quote:
“We want to save Ash Meadows, but Ash Meadows is going to save us.”
— Carolyn Allen, chair of the Amargosa Valley Town Board
Why this matters:
The proposed lithium mine could devastate the fragile ecosystem and water supply in one of the hottest and driest regions of the U.S., highlighting the ongoing conflict between renewable energy development and environmental conservation.
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Credit: MiningWatch Portugal/Unsplash
A battle for water rights unfolds in Nevada's lithium mining area
In the heart of Nevada, a crucial battle over water rights is intensifying as lithium mining operations vie for the scarce resource essential for their extraction processes.
In short:
- Nevada's Clayton Valley hosts the Silver Peak mine, the sole active U.S. lithium extraction site, amidst growing demand for the metal due to the electric vehicle boom.
- Albemarle, the mining giant, faces competition for water rights in an area where water is already a rare commodity, challenging the sustainability and expansion of lithium mining.
- Disputes over water rights underscore the broader challenges of mining in the West, including environmental and community impacts.
Key quote:
“The mines could be able to bring in quite a bit of work … to the area, and a lot of income to the area. But if you don’t have the water, how are you going to operate the mine?”
— De Winsor, commissioner of Esmeralda County, Nevada
Why this matters:
Hard rock mining methods, used in regions like Australia and Nevada, involve excavating lithium-rich minerals from the Earth, which can produce significant amounts of wastewater and chemical runoff. If not properly managed, this runoff can contaminate nearby waterways and groundwater, posing risks to both human health and the environment.
As nations worldwide strive to combat climate change by transitioning to renewable energy, they find themselves grappling with how to avoid repeating the mistakes of 150 years of fossil fuel production.
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Vegas doubles down on water conservation amidst growing aridity
In an era of unprecedented drought, Las Vegas is leading the way with rigorous water-saving strategies to ensure its survival and growth.
In short:
- Las Vegas, heavily reliant on the Colorado River for water, has implemented stringent conservation measures to combat a drying climate, including turf removal incentives and restrictions on water use.
- Despite these measures, the city has managed to grow, adding 750,000 residents while reducing water consumption from the Colorado River by 31%.
- Other Southwest cities, facing similar aridity challenges, are now pressured to adopt Las Vegas's proactive conservation strategies to secure their water futures.
Key quote:
“What’s the water bottom line going to be, and how do you make that math work?”
— State Assemblyman Howard Watts III
Why this matters:
Water scarcity is reshaping how cities in the arid Southwest approach growth and sustainability. Nestled within the Mojave Desert, Las Vegas has long contended with the challenges of limited water resources. The city draws the majority of its water from the Colorado River, via Lake Mead, which has faced significant water level declines due to prolonged droughts and overuse.
Be sure to read EHN’s coverage of Tucson’s ambitious tree planting goals: Planting a million trees in the semi-arid desert to combat climate change.
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Nevada faces a lithium mining dilemma amid green energy push
Nevada's rush to lithium mining for green energy faces a critical need for state-level planning to protect local communities and the environment.
In short:
- More than 80 lithium projects are proposed in Nevada, but there's no state-level plan to manage mining impacts on communities and the environment.
- Conservation groups urge lawmakers to create a rule-making process for lithium mining to minimize conflicts in sensitive areas.
- The Center for Biological Diversity suggests a study to identify lithium resources with minimal environmental impact.
Key quote:
“Over the next year, we will discuss and vet policy with the goal of protecting Nevada’s air, water and land for generations to come.”
— State Sen. Julie Pazina, the chairperson of the legislature’s Joint Interim Standing Committee on Natural Resources.
Why this matters:
The debate over lithium mining in Nevada draws attention to the complex balance between advancing green energy and protecting local ecosystems and communities. Effective state planning is necessary to ensure that the pursuit of clean energy does not come at the cost of environmental degradation or community disruption.
In push to mine for minerals, clean energy advocates ask what going green really means.
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Image by LEEROY Agency from Pixabay
‘You should be able to have a water break’: US workers fight for extreme-heat rules
Across America, temperatures are soaring – but industry groups are opposing potentially life-saving heat regulations.
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