NV Energy and Southwest Gas face backlash for intensifying environmental harms and economic disparities in Northern Nevada
RENO, NEVADA — Northern Nevadans have experienced the impacts of climate change in real-time — Reno is the fastest warming city in the country, thousands of acres have been burned down due to wildfires that caused lingering smoke in the air, and Sierra Pacific Power Company, NV Energy’s northern subsidiary, is proposing a drastic rate increase. The proposed hike would triple the general rate, further burdening customers before they flip on a light switch.
The Nevada Conservation League (NCL), Chispa Nevada, and Faith In Action Nevada are sounding the alarm on NV Energy and Southwest Gas’ relentless pursuit of expensive methane (natural) gas projects that reap high profits for shareholders at the expense of our community’s well-being. These monopoly utilities continue to rely heavily on methane gas, a fossil fuel responsible for approximately 30% of the current increase in global temperatures, according to the International Energy Agency. The volatile costs of methane gas are passed directly to Nevadans, many of whom are already struggling to pay soaring utility bills, joining nearly a third of American households in the same predicament.
Moreover, NV Energy is attempting to dodge accountability and regulatory scrutiny by exploiting outdated planning regulations. They expect Nevadans to foot the bill for their plans to build new fossil fuel power plants. NV Energy is pushing for more than $1.1 billion in spending on methane gas power plants across the state, including $565.33 million for recently approved projects, such as the Silverhawk Generation Station and Valmy coal-to-gas repower. The recently proposed plans that would add over $573 million to our costs. All while pushing for a rate increase to boost their “annual revenues by $94.8 million.”
“NV Energy and Southwest Gas report soaring profits while families and small businesses are left grappling with exorbitant energy bills driven by skyrocketing methane gas costs and unchecked spending, all while Northern Nevadans suffer from the environmental and health impacts of climate change — from losing hundreds of acres of land to wildfires to poor air quality due to smoke,” said Kristee Watson, Executive Director of Nevada Conservation League. “These corporate utilities need accountability and must answer to Nevada ratepayers.”
“Families in Northern Nevada are extremely worried about recent utility proposals, especially NV Energy’s plan to nearly triple the basic service charge and increase rates for ALL consumers,” said Astrid Martinez, Northern Nevada Community Organizer with Chispa Nevada. “Families are having to choose between paying for groceries, medicine or child care, or having their utilities disconnected. We are coming to Reno’s Consumer Session this Wednesday to deliver a clear message: Our families can’t afford any more increases to our gas and electricity bills. We need relief now. The PUCN must reject corporate greed and hold utilities accountable to the future we are asking for: one without costly and harmful fossil fuels, and instead one with affordable and clean energy we can rely on.”
“Northern Nevadans deserve more from their utility companies. We believe everyone deserves access to affordable, clean energy,” said Chasity Martinez, Community Organizer with Faith in Action Nevada. “NV Energy and Southwest Gas continue to prioritize profits over our already hurting communities, pushing harmful and expensive energy onto our most vulnerable populations. It’s time for these monopolies to be held to a higher standard, one that reflects our shared faith values of equity, justice, and dignified solutions for both the environment and public health. Our communities cannot and should not be left to bear the financial, environmental, and health costs of reckless greed. We must come together now more than ever to demand better clean energy policies from decision-makers and NV Energy!”
The Washoe County PUCN Consumer Session will be in Reno, PUC Office, 1001 E. 9th Street Building A, Reno, NV, at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.
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The Nevada Conservation League is the independent voice of Nevada’s conservation community. NCL works to maintain and enhance the natural character of Nevada and the quality of life for Nevadans through effective advocacy, the election of pro-conservation candidates, and building collaboration.