LOS ANGELES, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak on Monday signed a bill into law requiring utility providers for the Silver State have to produce 50 percent energy from renewable sources like solar and wind by 2030.
The Senate Bill 358 passed by the state's Senate and Assembly unanimously last week also said the U.S. western state had an aim for 100 percent carbon-free resources by 2050.
The bill signing took place on Earth Day, which is celebrated annually across the globe to show support for environmental protection and sustainability policies.
"It's a proud day for all of us here," Sisolak told reporters after signing the bill. "It's an exciting time, especially on Earth Day, such a beautiful day. We realize that we have to continue to protect our environment and have our RPS (Renewable Portfolio Standard) up to 50 percent."
This move is not only lauded by environmentalist groups, but also NV Energy, one of the largest utility providers in the state.
The company provides a wide range of energy services to more than 1.4 million customers throughout Nevada and more than 50 million tourists annually.
"NV Energy has been vocal about our aspirational goal of providing our customers with 100 percent renewable energy, and this is an important next step in accomplishing that," said Doug Cannon, NV Energy president and CEO, in a press release.
The company announced last year that it planned to add six more large-scale solar projects, three of which will include battery storage for the first time, reinforcing its commitment to add more low-cost solar to its energy mix.
Nevada is a leader in renewable energy in the United States, ranking fourth in solar and second in geothermal. So far, renewables make up over 20 percent of the state's generation mix, including hydropower, solar power and geothermal power.
Natural gas currently makes up almost 70 percent of the state's net power generation, and the state's last remaining coal plant, which makes up 9 percent of its electric power, is set to retire in 2025.
