CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) – Two key players in the Republican and Democratic parties in Nevada are teaming up to host a clean-energy talk as the White House abandons a worldwide agreement to curb climate change and states are moving to the forefront of the fight.
Former Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Wednesday that he’s bringing back a summit last headlined by President Barack Obama in 2015. This time, the co-host is a Republican – Gov. Brian Sandoval – a bipartisan move as Congress remains gridlocked on health care and other issues.
However, Sandoval is no newcomer to clean energy efforts or breaking with his own party. He ushered in a world-renowned rechargeable battery factory and supported expanded access to solar, wind and geothermal energy throughout his six years in the governor’s office.
“I’m proud that Nevada is a leader in the clean energy conversation,” said Sandoval, who has resisted Republican-led efforts to undo Obama’s health care law and was the first GOP governor to expand Medicaid.
“The state has a history of collaboration and thoughtful discourse, which results in effective policy-making, and the summit will provide a platform for energy leaders to come together to discuss new ideas and share best practices,” he said.