FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 17, 2024
Contact: Carolina Chacon | carolina@chaconconsulting.com | 702-810-7155
RENO — Today, the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada (PUCN) announced its decision to partially approve NV Energy’s latest request to raise rates for Northern Nevada customers. The basic service charge for residential customers will increase from $16.50 to $18.50, despite NV Energy requesting to nearly triple the charge.
The PUCN’s decision comes after NV Energy requested, and received partial approval for, quarterly and annual rate increases in Northern and Southern Nevada, proposals that were protested by hundreds of customers and Chispa Nevada members who attended Consumer Sessions, wrote personal letters, and testified before the Commissioners urging them to reject NV Energy’s plans to increase monthly bills.
Astrid Martinez, Senior Community Organizer with Chispa Nevada, released the following statement:
“NV Energy has continued to request rate increases while making record profits, money that they gain by investing in fossil fuels that led to the hottest, most dangerous heat in Nevada history. Just when our families need air conditioning to survive the summer, NV Energy’s rates go up.
This can’t continue. We are glad the PUCN agreed these are unfair and unjust rates, and they should have rejected NV Energy’s proposal entirely, as it sets a bad precedent. Our community needs NV Energy to be held accountable. We are calling for lawmakers and regulators to find solutions that will address corporate greed and manage the rising costs of gas and electricity.”
Here are comments from Washoe County residents who higher NV Energy bills will hurt:
- “I own a small food business where I employ eight people, including cashiers, chefs, and administrators, contributing to our economy and creating jobs for Nevadans. Our costs are already high. An increase in the price of electricity would hurt my family and my employees because I would be forced to reduce staff and raise the cost of the menu.” – Roberto Caballero
- “I retired after working 40 years in cleaning at the El Cortez Hotel and 26 years part-time at another hotel. I live with what they give me for retirement with a fixed salary. That is enough for me to live on but, if they raise the base of the electricity service it would greatly harm my family’s budget, and not only me but also for people like me who live off their retirement.” – Anita Aguirre
- “I have a small business dedicated to beauty. In recent times, the economic crisis after the pandemic left a devastating impact on the finances of all middle-income households like mine. My client list has decreased enormously and people no longer have that extra money for personal care. An increase in the base price of electricity will create a domino effect in small businesses like mine.” – Miluska Espinoza Valenzuela
- “I have dedicated my life to working for the state of Nevada as a maintenance employee. As a result of my hard work, I have pain in the lower part of my spine, in combination with heart problems. As you can imagine, this proposal for raising the basic service would affect me enormously. because I’m on a fixed income.” – Miguel Lopez
Chispa Nevada vows to keep fighting alongside community members to keep utility rates affordable for our families and to move our state to low-cost, local clean energy.
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Chispa Nevada is a program of the League of Conservation Voters Education Fund that builds the power of Latine communities to fight for climate justice.