Electric, gas rates up for NV Energy customers

RENO " Most Northern Nevadans are beginning to pay nearly 4 percent more for their electricity and about 2.5 percent more for natural gas.

The rate increases for customers of NV Energy formerly known as Sierra Pacific Power went into effect Wednesday. They were approved by the state Public Utilities Commission, based on the cost of purchasing power.

The typical residential customer using 740 kilowatt hours of electricity will see their bill increase about $3.06 a month to an average monthly total of $95.41.

Most natural gas customers in the Reno-Sparks area will see an increase of $1.61 per month for an average monthly total of $71.29.

The specific rate hikes are 3.78 percent for electricity and 2.43 percent for gas.

They follow rate decreases of 2.52 percent for electric customers and 2.78 percent for natural gas customers that took effect on July 1 of this year.