LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – NV Energy wants to change what you pay for electricity. Wednesday, it made its case to the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada (PUCN) for a rate hike but several community groups are pushing back saying Nevada families cannot afford it.
NV Energy wants to institute new demand charges that would change how customers are billed for their energy use. If approved, your bill would shift from overall monthly use to how much power you use during “peak times”.
“We are seeking an increase in customer rates,” explained Meghin Delaney, spokesperson for NV Energy. During both a day and evening session before their customers and the PUCN, NV Energy explained why it’s seeking the new rates.
“That part of the bill that we are requesting an increase covers investments that we make in the system: a new battery and solar project at the site of a former coal plant, we have new natural gas peaking units, new transmission, new distribution lines,” Delaney stated.
Groups like Make the Road Nevada and the Nevada Conservation League say customers are already struggling with high bills especially those on a fixed income. They believe the average customer bill will increase about $15 each month.
FOX5 spoke with a national energy watchdog group who says this kind of rate change is unprecedented.
“There is no other utility that we have found through our research across the nation that is doing a mandatory demand charge. Some utilities are doing an opt-in where customers have the option to sign up for this, but no utility is doing this across the board,” revealed Sheila Hallstrom with Advanced Energy United.
“Whose bill hasn’t went up? It is not just one person. This is universal,” Dr. Mary House shared speaking against the change at the consumer session. NV Energy customers including Dr. House pleaded with the PUCN asking they reject NV Energy’s proposal.
“NV energy has a responsibility to look within itself and look and see if they can curtail any waste before they come to us ask for and ask for a rate increase,” argued Phillip Loverde. NV Energy says despite the proposed rate hike, they expect the average customer bill to be lower overall, due to lower energy market costs.
“The part of the customer’s bill that is going down this year is related to the fuel and power that we purchase. We do anticipate by the end of 2025 bills will actually be lower than they were in 2024,” Delaney projected.
No decision was made Wednesday on the rate proposal. Next Wednesday, they will do it all again. NV Energy will have another consumer session asking for approval of another new charge. They want to build up a $500 million self-insurance policy over 10 years in case a catastrophic wildfire in Nevada is caused by utility equipment.
Just last month, a report by the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada uncovered NV Energy overcharged at least 80,000 customers more than $17 million over 23 years. NV Energy’s CEO resigned the following week.
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