Nevada Appeal Capitol Bureau
Thursday, February 10, 2022
Several Republicans objected Wednesday to a plan that would install 60 new electric vehicle charging stations primarily in Carson City and Las Vegas.
Sen. Pete Goicoechea of Eureka led the charge during the Interim Finance Committee meeting. He pointed out that allowing electric vehicle owners to charge for free using public funds to support the cost isn’t fair to the majority of Nevadans who don’t own electric vehicles.
He was joined by Sens. Heidi Gansert of Reno, Scott Hammond of Las Vegas, Don Tatro of Carson City and Assembly members Heidi Kasama of Las Vegas, Glen Leavitt of Boulder City, Greg Hafen of Pahrump and Robin Titus of Smith Valley.
Assemblyman Tom Roberts of Las Vegas said he would support the project but wants the agencies involved to figure out how much the charging would cost the state. He said the state should monitor the program to determine how best to pay for it.
One-half of the new charging stations, all open to the public, would be in the Carson City area at public buildings including the Bryan Building, Capitol and DMV.
The $535,127 in state funds comes from the Governor’s Office of Energy. In addition, NV Energy is providing $694,905 for a total cost of $1.2 million.
The expenditure was approved on a majority vote.
