Trump’s Executive Orders Could Raise Energy Costs and Threaten Jobs in Nevada

Nevadans could soon feel the pinch in their wallets and job prospects thanks to recent actions by President Donald Trump. A report shows that Trump’s energy policies could raise energy costs for Nevada households by as much as $431 annually by 2035, while also jeopardizing thousands of clean energy jobs created under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).

Here’s how it breaks down:

In 2022, the IRA brought a wave of investment to Nevada—$15.5 billion to be exact—creating over 21,000 new jobs and delivering millions in clean energy rebates to help Nevadans save on energy costs. This included $96 million in direct rebates for households and over $5.5 million for 17 tribal communities to fund energy efficiency upgrades. But a day-one executive order from Trump stopped a lot of that progress in its tracks.

Trump’s order called for an immediate freeze on IRA funds, halting projects like electric vehicle charging stations and solar power installations. This freeze has already affected Nevada’s Clean Energy Fund, which was awarded a $156 million grant by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to expand solar power access for low-income households. The fund lost access to the EPA’s online grant portal, effectively cutting off the money.

What does this mean for everyday Nevadans?

Families who were counting on affordable solar panels to lower their energy bills may no longer have that option. Workers who would have installed those panels may lose their jobs. And with Nevada being one of the sunniest states in the country, freezing solar projects is a missed opportunity to harness clean, cost-saving energy.

The stakes are high. A study by the Rhodium Group estimates that repealing clean energy components of the IRA and rolling back federal greenhouse gas regulations could increase energy costs for Nevadans by $289 annually by 2030 and $431 by 2035.

Clean energy isn’t just about solar panels or electric cars—it’s about putting money back into Nevadans’ pockets while creating stable, well-paying jobs. Since the IRA passed, over 400,000 clean energy jobs have been created nationwide, according to Climate Power, a nonprofit focused on combating climate change. Nevada has been a major beneficiary of this boom, but Trump’s policies threaten to reverse these gains.

By targeting funding for clean energy projects, Trump’s actions could hurt Nevada families twice: first through higher energy bills and second through fewer job opportunities in one of the fastest-growing sectors of the economy. For a state that thrives on its sunny skies and clean energy potential, these policies could cast a long shadow over its future.