We are now a part of an Energy Coalition along with seven other organizations (CHISPA, Climateers, Faith in Action, League of Conservation Voters, Make the Road Nevada, PLAN, Sierra Club) and interested individuals working on utility justice and advancing green energy in the state.
As a coalition, we’re sharing resources, expertise, and perspectives in organizing a unified front against NV Energy’s 2024 proposed rate restructuring and proposed new gas capacity as outlined in its next three-year Integrated Resource Plan. We’re also working toward advancing climate and community friendly energy legislation during the 2025 Nevada legislative session.
On June 13, members of Third Act Nevada provided public comment to the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada (PUCN) consumer session on the proposed rate changes. Many activists and citizens spoke out against the increase to the basic service charge and the Sierra Club hosted a rousing press conference outside.
In July, one of our coalition members noted that the rate increase was in opposition to a partnership agreement between the City of Reno and NV Energy that emphasized equity and sustainability, among others. We then met with Mayor Schieve who was very supportive, we provided public comment at the next Reno City Council meeting and Councilwoman Duerr proposed agendizing it for their August 31 meeting in order to meet the PUCN deadline of August 12. City staff drafted a resolution opposing the basic service charge increase and then arranged a call including a few of our member organizations, NV Energy and Schieve and Duerr to discuss it. Public comment at the August 31 city council meeting was fierce! NV Energy and several unions opposed the resolution while numerous activists rose in support of it. However, the resolution that was read for approval was a watered-down version that opposed nothing! NV Energy is in lock-step with the unions and won’t let anything get in the way of their revenue stream and business as usual.
August is turning out to be just as active!
One of our coalition member organizations, PLAN, put together an electronic sign-up form and helped to organize an action outside the PUCN headquarters in Carson City on August 12. Fifty of us showed up with signs and banners and attended part of the morning’s hearing on NV Energy’s proposed rate change.
Because this was a hearing, public comment was not allowed and only official interveners were asked to provide input. After listening to NV Energy explain this regressive rate change as a benefit to customers, we all got up and left chanting “Unjust, Unfair!” This was the first of 25 coordinated utility justice actions across 17 states.
Now, we’re planning to launch an electronic petition, hear from Western Resource Advocates about NV Energy’s latest Integrated Resource Plan, meet with Nevada’s Bureau of Consumer Protection office, and provide more public comment at the PUCN’s general consumer session on August 28 at 1pm and 6pm in Reno.
Watch for ways that you can participate. We need to convince NV Energy and the PUCN that we will no longer accept business as usual, that we want no increase to our basic service change, and we want a clean and livable planet and expect them to lead the way by supporting the buildout of rooftop and community solar. ▪
Written by Cathy Fulkerson