‘Yes on 6’ calls on 2019 Legislature to raise renewable standard

‘Yes on 6’ wants to avoid becoming ‘Yes on 3.’

Nevadans voted “yes” last week on Question 6 — a ballot initiative that would require electric utilities to acquire at least 50 percent of their electricity from renewable sources by 2030. Because it amends the Nevada Constitution, the ballot measure must be approved by voters twice before it can go into effect.

This means Question 6 should appear on the 2020 ballot.

Unless it doesn’t have to.

That is exactly what the people behind ‘Yes on 6’ are now calling for. The campaign on Wednesday released a post-election statement, attributed to Katie Robbins, campaign manager of Nevadans for a Clean Energy Future and the ‘Yes on 6’ initiative. It reads:

“We’re prepared to fight and win again in two years, but we shouldn’t have to. The people of Nevada have made a clear statement about the future they want, and they should not have to wait for it to become a reality. Legislative leaders and our governor-elect have all recognized the need to guarantee a cleaner, healthier future. We look forward to working with them, our coalition partners, and the hundreds of thousands of Nevadans we heard from throughout this campaign to pass legislation well before voters go back to the polls.”

Question 6 was approved by 59 percent of voters; 40 percent voted in opposition.

There was essentially no formal opposition.

The 2017 Legislature passed a bill to raise the current renewable portfolio standard. That bill was vetoed by Gov. Brian Sandoval.

Governor-elect Steve Sisolak supported Question 6.