With a tragic war raging in eastern Europe, energy independence is in the headlines once again. It is a term that means different things to different people. But to more than 4,000 members of the IBEW Local 357, it means a future where our members have careers turning our state’s abundant sunshine into clean electricity to power our lives.  

The IBEW is proud to support the growth of Nevada’s vast supply of renewable energy. The faster we do it, the faster we can relieve Nevada and the rest of the U.S. from the geopolitical price shock of oil and natural gas prices. Nevada currently receives only 20 percent of our power from renewable sources. In the next eight years, we need to more than double current generation to meet our state’s target of 50 percent renewables by 2030, and ultimately get up to 100 percent. 

Producing all that renewable energy in a state comprised almost entirely of federal public lands is challenging. With approximately 15 percent of lands restricted – and more proposed – we must balance multiple goals: conservation, clean energy production, and addressing climate change.  

Today’s solar projects incorporate technologies to ensure power plants are efficient, affordable, and environmentally conscious. By integrating energy storage into the equation, our trained members can provide constant solar power, even at night. 

Nevada already has the power grid to accommodate that renewable energy. There are several renewable energy projects that can repurpose transmission and electrical infrastructure from retired coal power plants, thereby reducing costs and the environmental impact of new construction. These projects are eliminating emissions, improving air quality, all while delivering affordable energy to hundreds of thousands of Nevadans.  

Each renewable energy project creates hundreds of good paying union jobs and provides hundreds of millions of dollars in wages, services, and taxes into our communities – for our schools, police, and fire departments. The solar industry in particular will be the greatest source of career jobs for years to come. 

Thousands of Nevadans currently work in solar, and the numbers will continue to grow. IBEW 357 and our Electrical Joint Apprenticeship Training Program have already, and will continue to, invest in training that provides the workforce to propel the growth of renewable energy. Behind every union job in the solar industry is a good paycheck, healthcare, and pension. Along with that is the pride in knowing we are making a difference in the climate fight.

Powering our economy with renewable resources will combat the growing effects of climate change in our state. The IBEW Local 357 is proud to be on the front lines of the climate battle we are all contending with. As Nevadans we all need to embrace this battle as our own. No other state in the country has as much potential to provide the renewable energy needed to reduce our dependence on outdated carbon producing energy plants.  

We can do this in a way that protects our environment, respects, and preserves our cultural heritage, and defends our state from the growing effects of climate change. Our local union and apprenticeship will continue to drive innovation and economic growth by utilizing our talented workforce that has made Nevada a renewable energy leader. 

Nevada can use its vast renewable resources to create a cleaner, more secure energy future. We urge our leaders – local, state, tribal, and federal – to accelerate the growth of renewable energy to create good jobs and economic opportunities throughout Nevada. Let’s make our own energy and keep our dollars here.

James Halsey is currently the Business Manager/Finanical Secretary of IBEW Local 357.  The local union represents over 4000 members in Southern Nevada.