Two NV lawsuits target solar policy that could raise rates

By Suzanne Potter

The Public Utilities Commission of Nevada is facing two new lawsuits over its recent approval of NV Energy’s rate case.

Leslie Vega, spokesperson for the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada, criticized the new daily demand charges.

“People are going to pay more even when they use less,” Vega pointed out. “People are being forced to choose between cooling their homes or meeting their basic daily needs.”

The commission and NV Energy did not respond to a request for comment before deadline. In the past, NV Energy has said its average retail price for power is 22% lower than the national average.

In Southern Nevada, the changes will lower the amount people with solar on their roof get paid for selling power back to the grid, something NV Energy said is needed to fix inequities between solar and non-rooftop solar customers. Opponents said it will deter people from getting solar.

Chauntille Roberts, Interior West regional director for the advocacy group Vote Solar, said the commission should be making solar cheaper, not more expensive.

“We know there are better models for utilities to manage load growth and the grid while supporting customer-owned solar,” Roberts observed. “We are open to having more conversations with utilities and the commission, but we want those conversations to be grounded in the lived reality for Nevada ratepayers.”

Other groups opposing the new solar policies include Sierra Club, Nevada Conservation League, Nevada Environmental Justice Coalition, Chispa, Solar United Neighbors, Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada and Veterans Power America.

Related: Report: Nevada the highest rate of residents using tax credits to adopt residential solar