Limited programs illustrate missed opportunity to advance clean vehicles for residents and businesses
LAS VEGAS — Today, the Nevada Public Utilities Commission approved an NV Energy plan to spend an additional $70 million on transportation electrification through 2024, building on a $100 million initial investment in similar programs approved by the Commission last year. Unfortunately, NV Energy’s proposal fell short in enhancing access to electric vehicle charging programs for residents and businesses.
Despite transportation being the largest contributor of greenhouse gas emissions, NV Energy’s approved plan missed an opportunity to accelerate transportation electrification throughout the state. The proposals put forward by NV Energy lacked sufficient evidence to support programs for residential and commercial customers who want to install electric vehicle charging at their homes, apartment buildings, workplaces, etc. As a result, these programs were not approved, leaving families and fleets left behind until an updated plan takes place in 2025.
“The transportation electrification plan filed by NV Energy was poorly constructed, resulting in this disappointing decision by the Public Utilities Commission,” said Kristee Watson with the Nevada Conservation League. “The limited set of programs focused on interstate charging and electric buses illustrates a missed opportunity to accelerate transportation electrification for all NV Energy customers, particularly those who live in multifamily housing. Instead of working to saddle ratepayers with the cost of a new gas power plant and give premium pricing to big businesses, NV Energy needs to refocus its efforts on developing robust programs that reduce climate pollution and costs for Nevada’s families and small businesses.”
Transportation electrification is critical to reduce harmful air pollution and meet Nevada’s climate goals. Electric vehicles are a clean alternative for Nevada drivers and provide significant cost savings in fuel and maintenance. However, the availability of EV charging infrastructure is critical to make EV ownership accessible across all communities.
The plan’s additional investments are part of the $100 million Economic Recovery Transportation Electrification Plan approved by the Commission last year, in which NV Energy has made no progress toward implementing. The new investments will aide the purchase of electric school and transit buses, as well as match federal funds supporting electric vehicles through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act.
###