Opinion: Sam Brown is a threat to Nevada’s Environment

This summer, Las Vegas endured an incredible 68 days of temperatures soaring to 105 degrees fahrenheit or higher. In July, we even saw a sustained record-breaking 120 degrees. Because of the extreme heat impacting our region, more than 120 people died in Southern Nevada. These are alarming statistics highlighting an urgent and dangerous problem, and we need leaders who take them seriously.  

As the heat finally starts to subside, it’s important we take a moment to reflect on how one of the candidates running for US Senate in Nevada, Sam Brown, views this issue. Brown holds dismissive ideas about the threat that the climate crisis and extreme weather events pose to our state, and he has backwards and reckless views on our state’s development of renewable energy.

Sam Brown recently claimed that the construction of solar energy fields in our state is somehow “not for the benefit of Nevadans.” That statement could not be further from the truth. As Chair of the Nevada Solar Association and COO of SolUp, a Las Vegas solar energy business, I can tell you firsthand that solar energy is not just benefiting Nevadans—it’s powering our future.

Nevada is a national leader in solar jobs per capita, providing thousands of well-paying, and skilled jobs to hardworking Nevadans. The solar industry is not some far-off dream; it’s a thriving sector that has already made a significant positive impact on our communities, our economy, and our environment. To suggest otherwise, as Sam Brown has done, displays a deep misunderstanding of our state’s needs and our collective future.

I have seen the benefits of solar energy for both my business and for my clients. We are helping families and businesses lower their energy bills, reduce their carbon footprint, and become more energy independent. Our industry is part of a sustainable solution that Nevada desperately needs as we face more extreme heat and unpredictable weather patterns due to climate change.

In addition to opposing solar energy construction, Sam Brown also made it clear he would not have supported key pieces of legislation like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law or the Inflation Reduction Act that are bringing more good paying clean energy jobs to our state. He has also proposed cutting federal agencies that cover the same issues as state agencies, like the Department of Energy.

Meanwhile, Senator Jacky Rosen has been a champion for Nevada’s solar industry. Her efforts in securing federal investments have brought millions of dollars into the state to expand renewable energy, create jobs, and ensure Nevada remains a leader in the fight against climate change. Thanks to her, the solar industry here continues to grow and provide opportunities for countless Nevadans and her unwavering commitment to battle climate change is an inspiration to our industry .

Sam Brown’s opposition to solar energy threatens that progress. His failure to recognize the benefits of investing in sustainable energy would be catastrophic—not just for Nevada’s environment, but for our economy and the livelihoods of thousands of solar workers across the state.

Nevadans remember the scorching heat this summer. We understand what’s at stake. Our state should be leading the charge toward a sustainable future, not dragging its feet because of misguided political ideology.

On Election Day this November, we have a clear choice. We can support a candidate like Jacky Rosen, who has consistently fought for Nevada’s environment and our growing solar industry, or we can back Sam Brown, whose opposition to renewable energy threatens our jobs, our economy, and our future.

Nevadans deserve a senator who takes the climate crisis seriously and will continue to invest in sustainable solutions.