PUC sets workshops to implement electric utility legislation

The Public Utilities Commission holds workshops this Friday and next on two major pieces of legislation dealing with electric utility regulation.

This Friday's workshop begins at 2 p.m. and will deal with Assembly Bill 661 - the controversial legislation that permits large electric users to leave regulated electric utilities and cut their own deals with generators for electric power.

The primary beneficiaries of that section of the law would be the mines and large hotel-casinos. Small users would not be permitted to make their own electric power deals.

The legislation also authorizes a mil tax on electric power consumers designed to generate up to $10 million a year to help those on fixed incomes and the poor pay skyrocketing electric power bills.

The workshop will be held at the PUC offices in Carson City, 1150 E. William St. and video conferenced to Las Vegas.

The second workshop will deal with regulations needed to implement SB 372 and is set for Aug. 31 in the Carson City offices beginning at 1 p.m.

Senate Bill 372 sets standards for how much electric power must come from renewable sources. By 2003, renewable sources must account for at least 5 percent of the electric power sold by providers. That rises each year until the percentage reaches a minimum of 15 percent in 2013.

In addition, the legislation requires Clark and Washoe counties to adopt construction and energy codes that set energy conservation and efficiency standards.