Clean-air advocates demonstrate at governor’s office

By Cy Ryan

Thursday, Feb. 18, 2016 | 3:45 p.m.

CARSON CITY — Noisy clean-air advocates crowded into the reception area of Gov. Brian Sandoval’s office today, urging him to take action to protect the environment.

The group of 25 to 30 people yelled, chanted and clapped their hands, saying they wanted the governor to adopt a clean-air plan.

Sandoval was not present and was on his way to Washington, D.C., to attend the National Governors’ Conference.

The demonstration was organized by the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada, a progressive group based in Reno.

Bob Fulkerson, head of the organization, said people are tired of Sandoval failing to take action and merely appointing meaningless committees to look at the problem. The group presented Sandoval’s legal counsel a petition signed by 4,300 people.

Fulkerson said the protest was prompted, in part, by a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling temporarily stopping the Environmental Protection Agency from putting a clean-air plan into effect. It was also sparked by a decision by the state Public Utilities Commission that is raising power bills for rooftop solar customers.

Capitol Police were on alert for the demonstration, but no law enforcement action was taken.