Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021 | 2 a.m.
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The transportation sector is the largest source of carbon pollution in the United States and a major source of respiratory illness and health problems in Nevada. In October, the state Legislature took action to tackle these issues by becoming the 16th state to adopt a clean car standard. While this statewide initiative is a pivotal step in the right direction, we know air pollution and the climate crisis do not respect state borders; just ask every Nevadan living in Washoe County, Douglas County and Carson City.
To truly fight air pollution and address the climate crisis, we need federal action on a strong national clean car standard to make our air more breathable, cut carbon pollution, and provide clean energy jobs right here in Nevada. That is why we need the strongest possible national clean car standards and why Congress must also pass the Build Back Better Act to put us on the path to a better future.
The tragedies caused by the climate crisis and pollution aren’t confined just to Northern Nevada. Here in Las Vegas, we have the 12th-most-polluted air of all U.S. cities and are one of the fastest-warming cities in the nation. Worse, the harms of toxic air disproportionately harm children, whose small and developing lungs have considerably more trouble with these pollutants than adults and who can face lifelong respiratory problems, such as asthma, from the toxins they inhale early in life.
Every community, from Rhodes Ranch to Silverado Ranch to North Las Vegas, faces this devastating problem. The fact is many of our communities were built in close proximity to major highways and industrial sites, increasing the amount of heavy-duty vehicle pollution that wafts over our homes and smog that lays stagnant over our families. For the over 50,000 children and nearly 225,000 adults who suffer from asthma across our state, this pollution is deadly, and cleaner cars will help all of our children and families breathe safe, clean air.
The Environmental Protection Agency and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) are actively drafting federal Clean Car Standards, and we need every Nevadan to let them know we support the strongest possible standards. At the same time, the Build Back Better Act is moving through Congress. This legislation would make electric cars more affordable and accessible to American families, improve clean public transportation infrastructure, and incentivize businesses to choose clean energy over fossil fuels. Congress can take historic action to combat the climate crisis and improve public health with this bold investment in our nation.
Nevada’s leaders have been at the forefront of combating the climate crisis and supporting our state’s growing clean energy economy. Nationwide, there are over 270,000 jobs associated with clean vehicle technologies, and there are over 30,000 Nevadans working in clean energy today. By investing in cleaner cars, we have the opportunity to create good-paying jobs and help keep our families safe, while building a future Nevada can survive in.
Every community in Nevada deserves breathable air, drinkable water and a livable climate. We finally have a golden opportunity to make this a reality. Strong clean car standards and the Build Back Better Act are historic opportunities to create a healthy, sustainable, clean transportation future for our nation. It’s time to get this done.
Assemblywoman Sandra Jauregui represents Nevada’s 41st District. She is assistant majority whip in the Assembly. Christi Cabrera is the policy and advocacy director of the Nevada Conservation League.
