Clean energy is vital for Nevada

By Joanne Leovy, Las Vegas

Wednesday, March 9, 2016 | 2 a.m.

Kudos to Gov. Brian Sandoval for joining Nevada with 16 other states in an accord for a new clean-energy future. The governors acknowledge the need to prepare and act in response to climate change.

Now I hope Sandoval’s administration will continue to move forward with its preparations to abide by the Clean Power Plan. Despite the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent temporary stay, the Clean Power Plan is a great tool for bringing clean energy and a livable future to Nevada.

As a physician, I am concerned about the growing health effects from carbon pollution. More than 97 percent of climate scientists are convinced human-caused climate change is happening now. Polluted air, polluted water and climate disruptions caused by fossil fuel burning are hurting our health, and it’s going to get much worse if we don’t take strong action to protect ourselves. Vulnerable people die during heat waves. Increased drought will threaten our food and water supplies. The changing climate is increasing our risk of unusual and tropical disease epidemics. Carbon pollution causes increased heart disease, low birth weight, intellectual disability and cancer. Imagine how scary, insecure and costly life will become if we continue on our current course.

Embracing the Clean Power Plan will help Nevadans’ health and pocketbooks. Air-quality improvements will prevent 3,600 premature deaths and 300,000 missed school and work days every year. Our small businesses and workforce will benefit from clean air and water. Nevada is uniquely positioned to become a clean-energy giant if we embrace renewables and wean ourselves off out-of-state fossil fuels. In short, Nevada needs the Clean Power Plan!