On March 4, 2026, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) officially approved Nevada's request to operate a SNAP Food Restriction Demonstration Project. This makes Nevada one of the first states in the nation to receive approval to amend the definition of eligible SNAP food purchases.

WHAT THE WAIVER MEANS FOR RETAILERS:

Effective February 1, 2028, Nevada SNAP recipients will no longer be permitted to use their SNAP benefits to purchase:

Candy - defined as: gelatin-based confections (gummies), licorice, hard candies, sugar, com syrup, or high fructose corn syrup-based pieces, compressed candies (nerds, starburst, airheads, etc.).

Sugar-sweetened beverages - defined as: ready-to-consume or ready-to-mix non-alcoholic beverages that contain added caloric sweeteners (e.g., sugar, high-fructose com syrup).

This is a two-year demonstration project. FNS will evaluate its impact on both SNAP participants and retailers throughout the project period.

KEY DATES:

 • Waiver Approved: March 4, 2026

 • Effective Date: February 1, 2028

 • Duration: Two years

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR RETAILERS:

While implementation is nearly two years away, ECAN wants to ensure our members have ample time to prepare. Your point-of-sale systems will need to be updated to reflect the new SNAP eligibility restrictions on candy and sugar-sweetened beverages before the effective date. We will continue to monitor guidance from the Nevada Department of Human Services and share updates as they become available.

For more information on the waiver, visit the official USDA FNS page:

https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/waivers/foodrestriction/nevada

If you are not yet enrolled as a SNAP retailer and wish to participate in the program, you can apply here:

https://www.dss.nv.gov/snap/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 4, 2026

Contact:

702-871-8535 ⎸info@ecanevada.com

Las Vegas, NV – March 4, 2026 – The Energy and Convenience Association of Nevada (ECAN) confirms a dramatic surge in gas prices across the Las Vegas Valley, an increase of 60 to 90 cents per gallon over the past 5 days. This spike is a direct result of escalating tensions in the Middle East, specifically the ongoing conflict involving Iran and the United States, and directly correlates to the anti-oil and gas policies that have come out of Sacramento.

“The rapid increase in fuel prices over the past five days is a clear reminder that Nevada is not insulated from global events,” said Miranda Hoover, State Executive of the Energy and Convenience Association of Nevada. “While we welcome dialogue with leaders from neighboring states, it is important to acknowledge that California’s fuel regulations and refinery constraints have had direct ripple effects on Nevada’s fuel supply and pricing.”

While this price spike is a stark reminder of global energy volatility, it also underscores a more pressing issue: where Nevada currently receives its main supply. The state’s fragile energy system is highly sensitive to international disruptions because of the supply chain. Without diversification, these price swings threaten economic stability and put everyday Nevadans at risk. “Because Nevada relies heavily on California’s refining system, policy decisions in Sacramento don't stop at the state line. When California’s fuel market tightens, Nevada consumers feel it almost immediately at the pump. ECAN  will continue working with Nevada officials to strengthen and diversify its energy infrastructure to reduce vulnerability to international disruptions.”

ECAN encourages strategic energy choices: Simple actions like planning errands to limit unnecessary trips, keeping tires properly inflated and vehicles well-maintained, using public or shared transportation when practical, and participating in energy-efficiency programs offered by local utilities can make a noticeable difference in how much you’re spending at the pump and on utility bills. These kinds of actions reflect informed energy use and contribute collectively to a more resilient local energy profile. 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 7, 2026

Contact:

702-871-8535 ⎸info@ecanevada.com

Reno, NV – January 7, 2026 – The Energy and Convenience Association of Nevada (ECAN) is pleased to announce the recent appointment of Miranda Hoover to Governor Lombardo’s Fuel Resiliency Committee, created under the Nevada Department of Homeland Security. 

“I am proud to serve our great state of Nevada representing all energy and convenience members of ECAN,” said Miranda Hoover, State Executive of the Energy and Convenience Association of Nevada. “We know it’s time for Nevada to diversify its energy portfolio and start to forge its own path. Currently being the last stop in the gas and oil supply chain makes Nevada susceptible to unreliable gas prices and supply.”

The committee is scheduled to meet through fall of 2026 and conduct research and provide recommendations about infrastructure projects that could strengthen Nevada’s energy portfolio. 

The Fuel Resilience Committee is an advisory body established to strengthen Nevada’s preparedness and response to fuel supply disruptions to California. The committee is composed of state agencies and department representatives, local governments, industry leaders, and emergency management partners who have been tasked with assessing risk in Nevada’s fuel supply chain and developing recommendations for improving reliability specifically during emergencies and supply disruptions.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 26, 2025

Contact:

702-871-8535 ⎸info@ecanevada.com

The Energy and Convenience Association of Nevada (ECAN), which includes fuel wholesalers and convenience stores, are equally concerned by rising fuel prices in Nevada. More than 80% of Nevada’s gasoline and diesel fuel comes from refineries in the San Francisco Bay Area and Southern California. 

How bad is it? Of the fifteen California refineries that supply gasoline and diesel to Nevada, fires closed two earlier this year and only one is back to full production, the other will remain at 50% production through the end of the year. Two other refineries have switched from refining conventional fuels to reformulated fuels (RFG) and two have recently announced they will be closing in the next 12-18 months: Phillips 66 in Los Angeles and Valero in Benicia. The expected impact is a loss of 25% of California’s refining production, which will be significant to Nevada’s fuel supply and prices as the state’s drivers consume roughly 102,000 gallons of gasoline and 44,000 gallons of diesel per month.

“There is very little Nevada can do with the lack of current infrastructure as we are at the end of the pipe,” said Miranda Hoover, Nevada State Executive of ECAN. “To stabilize volume and price, Nevada will need to look to other fuel sources to make up for the expected loss that will start to occur in the next 12-18 months”. 

With a loss of refinery capacity, continued regulatory increases on refinery operations by California, strict environmental rules and the announcement that Valero will close its Benicia refinery in April of 2026, will impact Nevada’s fuel supply which will lead to price increases as wholesalers seek fuel in other states and regions of the country, including the Gulf Coast. Currently, Nevada receives most of its California fuels via pipeline and bringing in other sources of supply, which will need to be transported by truck into Nevada, will result in a much higher cost. Nevada’s only other source, which makes up roughly 15% of inbound fuel, comes into the state via the SF Holly Pipeline (UNEV Pipeline) out of Utah. 

“ECAN and our members are committed to working with our state government and other stakeholders to identify and implement solutions that will benefit Nevadans and allow our state to stop relying so heavily on California,” Hoover stated. “We know that it’s long-overdue for Nevada to diversify its energy portfolio.” 

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