EPA's Carbon Rule: Nevada's Path Towards Climate Resilience

By Min Jae Kwak, August 6, 2023

Successfully coupling initiatives on a regulatory and environmental justice level will result in long-term benefits for the residents of Nevada.

Nevada, like many other states, has suffered dire consequences from the impacts of climate change. Record-setting temperatures topping up to 116 degrees have become the norm and will only continue to get worse in the years to come. These scorching temperatures have resulted in not just harmful effects on residents' health, but also brings the future livability of the state into question as extreme temperatures continue to squeeze already dangerously low water levels. Lake Mead, the largest freshwater reservoir in the United States, has seen record low water levels in recent years, fueling massive water shortages throughout the state. 

The observed temperature extremes in Nevada can be partially attributed to rising emission levels in the state at large. Clark County, Nevada’s most densely populated county, generated more greenhouse gas emissions than the entire city of Los Angeles, which has 1.7 million more residents. Much of these emissions stem from power plants. In fact, a 2020 report found that 10 of Nevada’s power plants were responsible for 89.4% of total carbon dioxide equivalent emissions from the power sector. 

In searching for regulatory solutions to Nevada’s emission problem, one standard stands out. The Carbon Rule, an EPA rule proposed in 2014, aims to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from power plants specifically. This rule has succeeded in reducing emissions from power plants by 25% in the country since its implementation. In addition, the rule seeks to incentivize sustainable renewable energy sources. While the new updated Carbon Rule seeks to set stronger emission standards, adherence to the standard must be undertaken in conjunction with other sustainable initiatives throughout the state. 

Regulatory standards such as the Carbon Rule also continue to be important in the fight for environmental justice across the United States, including in Nevada. As Nevada continues to push through unprecedented heat waves and record low water levels, the impact of these events is often segmented by socioeconomic and racial lines. While environmental justice activism in Nevada has successfully pushed through major legislative initiatives such as a constitutional right to clean water and air, these efforts must be undertaken in conjunction with preventative measures like the Carbon Rule to thoroughly address the environmental issues at hand. 

Given the urgency of the dangers presented by climate change in Nevada, strengthening emissions standards in regulatory standards like the Carbon Rule is all the more important. Successfully coupling initiatives on a regulatory and environmental justice level will result in long-term benefits for the residents of Nevada.

Take action right now by sending your comments on how supporting stricter carbon emissions standards will benefit you and your community to the EPA by August 8th.

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