I’ve worked in Nevada’s clean energy business since 2007, helping homeowners and businesses harness the power of the sun to save money on their energy bills and reduce their carbon footprint. The industry has come a long way since then, but we have several reasons to believe there is a bright future ahead for clean energy and an extraordinary investment opportunity for Congress to help steer our economy in the right direction. 

In the most recent decade, the climate crisis has pushed the private industry to not only think about their long-term financial health but of the impacts of their carbon footprint. As a result, businesses across the country have increased their commitment to renewable energy and sustainable practices. Earlier this year, more than 300 companies urged the Biden administration to increase our country’s emissions reduction goals, showing us they are ready to take on a larger role when it comes to tackling the climate crisis. 

But some decisions by business leaders to factor climate change into their business models can be more than a fulfillment of their social and moral responsibility to the future of our planet. Carbon-friendly business models are proving to yield financial benefits. In 2019, Forbes reported on the shifting market, stating “companies could stand to gain $2.1 trillion by embracing low-carbon technology,” and even that, “it has become more costly for businesses to ignore or forego greener resource options.” Adopting emissions-reducing practices and technologies are now proving to be necessary to remain financially competitive in their market -- a green light for clean energy businesses. 

Renewable energy is the fastest-growing energy source in the country with solar leading the pack. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, solar photovoltaic technology is expected to grow faster than other renewable energy technologies between now and 2050. The increasing demand for clean energy reigns true in Nevada, where the industry is also one of the state’s fastest-growing, and in 2019, employed 34,000 Nevadans. By expanding clean energy manufacturing and meeting the demand for clean energy infrastructure, we can create thousands of good-paying jobs that will be critical in rebuilding our communities, especially those who faced the worst of this pandemic. 

Nevada is a promising state for clean energy investments, not only because of our year-round sunshine but because of our legislative progress over the years. In 2019, Governor Sisolak and the Legislature worked to raise our state’s renewable portfolio standard to 50 percent by 2030, meaning half of our state’s energy must be produced from renewable sources such as wind, solar, and geothermal. We saw even more progress during the 81st legislative session with the passage of SB448, a major clean energy bill sponsored by clean energy champion and Sen. Chris Brooks (D-Las Vegas) that would strengthen our grid reliability, create more electric vehicle charging stations, and ensure frontline communities -- low-income communities and communities of color -- can upgrade their homes to be energy efficient.

Business leaders and elected officials are signaling just how lucrative investments in clean energy are proving to be. Congress needs to recognize this too. 

While they negotiate a major infrastructure bill that’s said to help our states build back better, clean energy investments must be a priority. But don’t just take it from me. Take it from the 77 percent of Nevadans who favor the historic investments in climate and clean energy outlined in President Biden’s American Jobs Plan or from the two-thirds of Americans who believe investments to create clean energy jobs are key to the proposal. 

Federal investments in clean energy would only add bold leadership and critical funding to ongoing efforts to transition our state to clean energy. If done correctly, these investments could serve as an example of how new, government-funded infrastructure projects should work to increase job opportunities for communities around them while addressing climate change. 

Nevada has led the way for years on climate action and clean energy but we don’t have to do it alone. We have a partner in Washington who has called the climate crisis one of the greatest challenges of our time. As a solar energy business owner who knows firsthand the power of clean energy in the fight against the climate crisis, I am asking our leaders in Congress to take action with big investments in clean energy infrastructure that can meet the scale of the crises we face. 

Louise Helton is founder and vice president of 1 Sun Solar Electric.