Governor Lombardo Signs SB132, Expanding Energy Affordability for Nevadans
Carson City, NV – The Nevada Clean Energy Fund (NCEF) applauds Governor Lombardo for signing Senate Bill 132 (SB132) today. The bill, which received bipartisan support in the Legislature, appropriates $500,000 to NCEF and its clean energy programs. NCEF will use the appropriation to strengthen and expand its programs that lower energy costs for households, communities, and small businesses.
“Governor Lombardo saw this appropriation the same way my colleagues in the Legislature did: as a smart investment in Nevada communities,” said Senator Rochelle Nguyen, sponsor of SB132. “As a member of the Senate Committee on Finance, I consider how organizations with state funding were able to leverage the money previously allocated to them. NCEF was able to take $1 million invested in the 2023 session and bring in nearly $200 million to our state in just two years. That’s a remarkable achievement, and I look forward to seeing what the organization accomplishes next.”
“This investment in NCEF will deliver utility bill savings to tens of thousands of Nevadans, providing financial relief to renters, seniors, working families, rural communities, and small businesses,” said Dwayne McClinton, Director of the Governor’s Office of Energy and Chair of NCEF’s Board of Directors. “NCEF has a proven track record of making the most of state investments, and I expect the organization to maximize the impact of this one too.”
“I want to thank Governor Lombardo for trusting NCEF with these state funds and Senator Nguyen for championing this investment. As Nevada’s homegrown green bank, NCEF exists to serve local needs by filling gaps in the clean energy market,” said Kirsten Stasio, CEO of the Nevada Clean Energy Fund. “Our programs lower utility bills for individuals, small businesses, school districts, tribes, and local governments, while creating jobs and workforce training programs. This second state investment will enable us to secure additional private and philanthropic funds for our programs. Governor Lombardo and the Legislature have ensured that their constituents will continue to see these benefits for years to come.”
“I applaud the governor for recognizing how impactful NCEF’s programs are to our communities. Many Nevadans are under financial stress due to rising utility bills,” said Janet Quintero, Vice President of External Affairs of United Way of Southern Nevada. “We are proud to partner with NCEF on the Nevada Solar for All Community Solar Program because it brings financial relief to low-income and moderate-income renters across the state.”
“Nevada Rural Housing is proud to continue our partnership with NCEF to deliver meaningful energy solutions to rural communities,” said Beth Dunning, Director of Community Development at Nevada Rural Housing. “Support for this investment—made possible through the leadership of Governor Lombardo —helps ensure that clean energy savings and smart, cost-effective improvements reach the Nevadans who need them most.”
“NCEF’s financial and technical assistance delivers cost savings that will enhance tenant services and diminish funding gaps, ultimately helping developers construct more of the affordable housing units the state needs,” said Natalie Prochaska, Director of Business Intelligence at Nevada HAND and Chair of NCEF’s Affordable Housing Community Council. “I commend Governor Lombardo and Senator Nguyen for this investment in NCEF, a unique organization that is helping affordable housing developers rise to meet one of the most significant challenges facing the state.”
“This investment from the state will benefit workers because NCEF’s programs generate economic opportunities for local clean energy businesses,” said Les Lazareck, Managing Member of Home Energy Connection and Vice Chairperson of the NCEF Board of Directors. “Nevada Solar for All will create nearly 1,000 jobs over the next four years. RE-UP and the Energy Audit Program help small businesses thrive by connecting contractors to residents seeking appliance or energy efficiency upgrades. And the organization’s job training and workforce development programs prepare young Nevadans to join a growing industry. I thank Governor Lombardo for his support of this important organization.”
About the Nevada Clean Energy Fund
The Nevada Clean Energy Fund (NCEF) is a nonprofit organization that supports a thriving, affordable, and accessible clean energy economy by providing financial and technical resources to Nevadans. NCEF was established by Nevada legislation in 2017 as the state’s green bank. NCEF implements programs for diverse Nevada stakeholders, including affordable housing, Tribes, nonprofits, schools, local governments, and rural communities. Clean energy measures include building electrification and efficiency, renewable energy, clean vehicles, and others.