The Public Utilities Commission of Nevada on Wednesday hosted a meeting that gave residents a platform to voice their concerns over NV Energy’s proposed rate changes. The proposal has sparked a backlash from community members and advocacy organizations.
“A lot of the people we work with are faced with impossible choices, like deciding whether to pay their rent or their utility bill,” said Chasity Martinez, an organizer with Faith in Action Nevada, who spoke at Wednesday’s protest at the Washoe County administrative complex. “This proposed increase feels like kicking people when they’re already down.”
The fee changes have also been criticized for negatively impacting on those who consume less energy, including low-income residents and individuals who have invested in solar power. Ahead of the PUCN meeting, various advocacy groups organized a rally to draw attention to the potential financial burden the increase could place on already struggling households.
Robbin Palmer told This Is Reno, “I’m opposed to the rate increase because it’s going to put a burden on low- and fixed-income individuals. It disincentivizes solar instillation [and] it penalizes individuals who have solar.”
In response to the concerns, NV Energy issued a statement claiming that the rate change would not increase average customer bills. Instead, the billing change would lead to more predictable monthly expenses and lessen the impact of bill fluctuations during extreme weather conditions.
The PUC meeting was a forum for public input, with no immediate decisions being made on the proposal. If approved, the new rates could take effect as early as October, potentially impacting thousands of Northern Nevada residents.
