Did you know the transportation sector generates the largest share of greenhouse gas emissions? The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) is doing its part to help change that. In its latest effort to have dialogue lead to action, the RTC brought together local, state, and federal policymakers and industry experts for the Clean Energy and Transportation Summit on Thursday, Aug. 22. More than 350 individuals attended the technology expo that featured the latest in clean transportation and the summit that focused on next steps to expand Nevada’s clean energy economy and address climate change.
“Climate change is real and something we have to address now, not just for ourselves but for future generations,” said Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak. “Nevada is leading the way in deploying the technology for advancing autonomous and electric vehicles, including funding an electric school bus pilot program that will bring savings to our schools and reduce harmful diesel emissions by almost 80 percent. Nevada is making it clear that we will act to combat global warming.”
The summit featured an array of speakers including Governor Sisolak, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto, U.S. Representative Steven Horsford, Nevada Conservation League Executive Director Andy Maggi, UNLV President Dr. Marta Meana, and Carl Pope, senior advisor to Michael Bloomberg and co-author of Climate of Hope. All speakers agree on the importance of improving the state’s renewable portfolio standard (RPS) to 50 percent by 2030 and to be 100-percent carbon-free by 2050.
Three different panels took on a number of topics, looking at sustainable transportation from all angles: legislation, infrastructure, funding, attracting global players, workforce training programs, and more.
Attendees also had to chance to check out autonomous and electric vehicles from Tesla, Chevrolet, NV Energy, Navya, Altec and Proterra as part of the summit’s technology expo.
For more information and highlights, visit: https://www.rtcsnv.com/clean-energy/
