Silver State can be Solar State

Sen. Dean Heller, R-nev., came out against the Trump administration’s tariffs on Chinese solar panels. Heller rightly recognizes that these tariffs are hurting more workers in the fields of solar installation, maintenance and operations than in solar panel construction. However, Heller’s vision of the green economy is too narrow. Nevada is primed to advance the American solar industry, with the potential to be the Saudi Arabia of solar for the next century.

Market forces are making solar power cost effective. Technological improvements and innovation have drastically reduced costs. The challenge now is inertia; utility companies invested in the equipment and technicians for the fossil fuel age. What’s missing are the leaders and innovators willing to take action to expand solar energy production. By leading the charge in solar energy production, Nevada could attract hightech firms and researchers in the field, helping to diversify the local economy and improve STEM education at local universities.

Nevada could quickly become a net energy exporter, supplying the rest of the country with sustainable, clean energy. Imagine each resident receiving a dividend check, modeled after the Alaska Permanent Fund, which gives residents a portion of profits from oil and gas exports. To make this future possible, Heller should support efforts to increase the renewable production standard to 50 percent by 2030.

Michael Ratliff, Henderson