AEE and our member companies were busy meeting with gubernatorial candidates in nine states this fall. In Nevada, AEE and our member businesses sat down recently with Democratic nominee Steve Sisolak and his campaign staff to talk about the growth of the advanced energy industry, workforce development opportunities, and how Nevada can continue attracting businesses to the Silver State.

The business representatives from member companies First Solar, Recurrent, Borrego, CLEAResult, Interwest, Cypress Creek and Tesla discussed policy mechanisms and regulatory levers that a Sisolak administration could use to capture the economic benefits and cost savings of advanced energy products and services. Clark County Commission Chairman Sisolak, impressed by the industry’s 25,000 employees in the state, reaffirmed his support to grow jobs in Nevada, stating the industry should work to reduce the time it takes for a project to move from the planning phase to steel in the ground. “Let’s do it fast,” he said. “Let’s take a project from a three-year timeframe down to 18 months.” Welcoming that challenge, the businesses in the room addressed a number of barriers that, if lifted, could streamline project development.

Signaling his desire to make Nevada a national advanced energy leader, Sisolak outlined the importance of assembling a team of advisors and appointees comprised of individuals – like those participating in the meeting – that could give him a roadmap for the state that encompasses creative and ambitious energy solutions. In response, the group recommended that Sisolak commit to increasing the state’s RPS, embrace options for community solar investments, and accelerate the adoption of battery storage and electric vehicles and charging infrastructure.

To close out the meeting, Sisolak urged the businesses participating to continue engaging with him throughout the campaign and, should he be successful in next week’s election, into the legislative session in 2019.

AEE and member companies had previously met with a representative from the campaign of Nevada Attorney General Adam Laxalt, now the Republican nominee.