The Earth Day attendance confirms our community's growing commitment to the environment. Three thousand people browsed booths for environmental products and attended workshops on water conservation, saving energy and alternative transportation. Local experts and scientists volunteered to teach the public about important environmental issues to motivate change and ignite political action. Scientists know Congress will listen if enough people voice their concerns.

Acknowledging Nevada's valuable abundance of wind, solar, hydro, biomass and geothermal resources, the Democratic leadership has leveraged a legislative push for energy independence reforms and resource conservation. A major catalyst for the recent renewable energy boom was the state's approval of the Renewable Portfolio Standard in June 2001.

Recognizing Nevada's potential to become the nation's renewable energy epicenter, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid recently introduced a comprehensive energy bill in May 2007 intended to improve energy independence, increase the production of clean renewable fuels, protect consumers from price deception and increase the efficiency of buildings and vehicles.

Nevada Democrats are succeeding in promoting renewable research and improving the energy performance of the federal government. In light of Earth Day, be proud of Democratic accomplishments and support the promise of an energy efficient future for our state.

Marsy Kupfersmith

Reno