SEIU Nevada Speaks Out for Renewable Energy Sources

Members Oppose Coal Power Plants at Statewide News Conferences

SEIU Nevada members joined our partners in the Nevada Clean Energy Campaign to oppose the three proposed coal power plants in Nevada and call for a greater investment in renewable energy sources to meet our needs at statewide news conferences on January 17th. 

Other Nevada Clean Energy Campaign representatives at the news conferences included the Sierra Club, Nevada Women's Lobby Group, American Institute of Architects and the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada (PLAN).  The Campaign includes a number of other organizations.

SEIU Nevada's Executive Board officially came out in opposition to the coal plants in a resolution passed with unanimous support on December 12, 2007.  Read that resolution here.

"It is time for Nevada to invest in renewable energy sources that will provide the energy sources and jobs we need without hurting the health and wellbeing of our residents. It is time for us to say no to coal and yes to renewable energy," noted Shauna Hamel, SEIU Nevada member and Registered Nurse at CHW's St. Rose Dominican Hospital, Siena Campus. 

At the Reno news conference, Renown RN and SEIU Nevada member Ruth Flack also noted the serious health impacts of coal-powered electricity plants, saying "Air pollution is as bad for public health as smoking.  Nevada will pay the price for coal-powered energy in lives shortened and higher rates of asthma for our children. We deserve clean air and clean energy."

The news conferences received coverage in both the Las Vegas Sun blog and on local television news.