Letter: NV Energy wants $28 more a month

Do you have an extra $28 lying around at the end of the month? You won’t if NV Energy gets its way. It wants an additional $28 of your money every month.

NV Energy is asking the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada to approve the monthly fixed charge for electricity with an increase of almost $28. They want to increase the base charge from $16.50 to $44.40 a month.

This will hit everyone in the wallet: $330 a year. You can’t reduce this fee by turning off the lights when you leave the room, buying more energy-efficient appliances, and/or adjusting the thermostat to use less energy.

You will no longer be in control of that additional $28 a month that NV Energy wants. Yes, you will still be charged for the electricity you use. I don’t expect to see electricity usage rates decline over the next few years either.

NV Energy will always find a reason/need for more. The PUCN is holding consumer sessions (public hearings) on Tuesday at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the PUCN office in Carson City, and on June 13 at 6 p.m. at the Washoe County Commission Chambers.

I encourage anyone who doesn’t want to see their rates go up to attend a meeting or write to the PUCN through the Electronic Filing System on the commission’s website.

Go to: https://puc.nv.gov/About/Docs/Forms/Applications/ and scroll down to “Commenter Form.” Or just write a letter referencing the Docket No. which is 24-02026.

Rob Bastien

Carson City