Delay power deregulation until protections are in place
We are challenged by the soaring cost of energy. Electric utility restructuring in California is, in the words of Governor Gray Davis, a “colossal and dangerous failure.” We must learn from the mistakes in California, so that we never repeat them here.
In 1997 and again in 1999, our Legislature approved deregulation for Nevada. Last session, however, the Legislature recognized that there were problems on the horizon, and they gave me the authority to delay it.
Twice I have looked at the situation, twice considered the consequences, and twice said “no” to implementing deregulation.
Over the next few weeks, I will be reviewing those [latest] recommendations and any new proposals from the Legislature.
But let me be very clear: I cannot and will not support deregulation until I am assured that power supplies are secure and those who would be hardest hit by rate increases are protected.
Source: State of the State Address to the Nevada Legislature
Jan 22, 2001
$5M to fight becoming the nation’s nuclear waste dump
The single greatest threat to the health and safety of the people of this state [is] the prospect of Nevada becoming the nation’s nuclear waste dumping ground. We’ve fought this battle together, for many years and on many fronts.
Yet the nuclear power industry is as determined as ever to target our state.
Tonight, I am announcing that we will match that determination with an unprecedented dedication of funds. For the first time in our long fight against nuclear waste,
we will dedicate $5 million to fight the Department of Energy and those in Congress who are determined to make Nevada the nation’s nuclear waste dump.
We will launch a media campaign to rally our neighboring states, because the transportation
of nuclear waste is a danger to everyone. We will continue to pursue all legal avenues. We will expose the unprincipled tactics used by the industry in their attempt to force us to accept this deadly waste.
Source: State of the State Address to the Nevada Legislature
Jan 22, 2001
Guinn adopted the National Governors Association policy:
Considering the evidence and the risks of both overreaction and underreaction, the Governors recommend that the federal government continue its climate research, including regional climate research, to improve scientific understanding of global climate change. The Governors also recommend taking steps that are cost-effective and offer other social and economic benefits beyond reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In particular, the Governors support voluntary partnerships to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while achieving other economic and environmental goals.
The Governors are committed to working in partnership with the federal government, businesses, environmental groups, and others to develop and implement voluntary programs that reduce greenhouse gas emissions in conjunction with conserving energy, protecting the environment, and strengthening the economy.
The Governors urge that those
who have successfully achieved reductions of greenhouse emissions receive appropriate credit for their early actions. The Governors strongly encourage these kinds of voluntary efforts.
The Governors believe that federally required implementation of any treaty provisions, including those that mandate limits or reductions of greenhouse gas emissions, must not occur before the U.S. Senate ratifies an international agreement and Congress passes enabling legislation.
The Governors support continued federal funding for research and development technology in this area. They also believe it is essential to engage the private sector by fostering technology partnerships between industry and government. Public-private partnerships serve to achieve desired environmental goals, speed the introduction of new technologies to the marketplace, and meet consumer needs and product affordability goals, while avoiding market distortions and job losses.
Source: NGA policy NR-11, Global Climate Change Domestic Policy 00-NGA3 on Aug 15, 2000
Kyoto Treaty must include reductions by all countries.
Guinn adopted the National Governors Association policy:
The Governors recommend that the federal government continue to seek the advice of state and local officials and nongovernmental organizations with expertise in economic, trade, jobs, public health, and environmental issues and assess the potential economic and environmental consequences of proposed policies and measures, including a thorough and broadly accepted analysis of costs and benefits. The Governors recommend that the US:
not sign or ratify any agreement that mandates new commitments to limit or reduce greenhouse gas emissions for the US, unless such an agreement mandates new specific scheduled commitments to limit or reduce greenhouse gas emissions for developing countries within the same compliance period;
aggressively undertake strategies for including emissions-reduction commitments from developing countries;
not sign or ratify any agreement that would result in serious harm to the US economy;
support flexible policies and measures in
continuing negotiations that provide an opportunity for the US to meet global environmental goals without jeopardizing US jobs, trade, or economic competitiveness;
insist on flexible implementation timetables in continuing negotiations that permit affected parties adequate time to plan strategies for meeting commitments; and
ensure that no single sector, state, or nation is disproportionately disadvantaged by the implementation of international policies.
If appropriate international commitments are established and are ratified by the US, the Governors believe implementation should be allowed to be achieved through cost-effective market-based activities, which account for scientifically verifiable and accountable reductions in greenhouse gas levels regardless of where the reductions are achieved. Any multinational emissions trading program must provide a flexible and workable framework that takes full advantage of market forces and maximizes international participation.
Source: NGA policy NR-11, Climate Change International Policy 00-NGA4 on Aug 15, 2000
Federal tax incentives for energy, with state decisions.
Guinn signed the Western Governors' Association resolution:
Western Governors find that states must continue to play a pivotal role in electric power decisions. Specifically:
The existing authority of states over retail electric power sales and transmissions must be retained.
Congress should allow states to create regional mechanisms to decide regional power issues.
We need to pursue a national energy policy that will result in a diverse energy portfolio:
New energy development: Enable exploration and development of promising domestic oil, gas, coal, geothermal or wind resources.
Coal: Implement R&D and tax incentives to promote the development and deployment of new technologies.
Renewables: Accelerate the development and deployment of promising renewable energy technologies through the extension and expansion of state and federal production tax credits.
Environmental Regulation:
Review environmental and natural resource policies to ensure they are as efficient as possible.
Permitting Energy Facilities: Streamline state, tribal and federal processes for siting new generation, electric transmission and natural gas pipelines.
Energy Infrastructure: Support economic and environmentally sound energy infrastructure investments to transport energy to markets
Energy efficiency and conservation: At a minimum:
Encourage rate structures that give utilities and customers an incentive to reduce consumption.
Encourage long-term stability of government and utility conservation programs.
Review and improve the energy efficiency of building codes and appliance efficiency standards that recognize the unique conditions in the West (e.g., dry climates).
Support federal, state and tribal tax incentives to accelerate the introduction of new energy efficient technologies.
Source: WGA Policy Resolution 01 - 01: Energy Policy Roadmap 01-WGA01 on Aug 14, 2001
