The Third Act Nevada Power Up Communities initiative continues to meet to strategize how to keep putting NV Energy on notice, how to influence the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada (PUCN) decision making process, and how to put public pressure on our state legislators to do the right thing for Nevadans and our planet.
In the KOLO 8 news coverage leading up to the June 13 PUCN Consumer Session in Reno, George Cavros of Western Resource Advocates pushed back on NV Energy’s claims that their most recent rate restructuring proposal will not increase bills for low-income or average customers, but will instead stabilize them. The notion that the increase in the fixed base rate is offset by lower kilowatt usage rates is disingenuous. As Cavros points out, gas prices are lower now because of where the market is. That doesn’t take into account the long term fluctuating price of methane gas — something over which NV Energy has no control.
If you’re new to this issue we’ve detailed in other posts exactly what NV Energy is proposing and the consequences of that proposal. AND In case you weren’t able to make it to the Consumer Session, click on these links and take a listen to what Third Act Nevada’s co-facilitators, Cathy Fulkerson and Kit Miller had to say.
Unfortunately, the rate restructuring is not the only thing on NV Energy’s mind. They also have an Integrated Resource Plan proposal before the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada that includes the addition of over 400 MW of new gas capacity on top of the recent (just 3 months ago) approval to add 500 MW of gas to its portfolio by re-powering the North Valmy Generating Station with gas.
More Money. More Dirty Fuel. And once the fixed base rate is well over $40, how likely do you think it is that NV Energy will propose to lower it? Once the investment has been made in methane gas capacity how likely is it NV Energy will be motivated to make a significant shift to cleaner fuel sources?
We encourage everyone who is interested in helping NV Energy to “see the light” to participate in our Power Up Community meetings! The next one is June 25th. Follow this link to register and keep your eyes on the Events section of our webpage for future meeting times.