NV Energy is asking the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada (PUCN) for an increase to their basic service charge.
At the same time, they say they'll decrease other areas of customer bills. However, customers aren't happy about the proposal.
Lots of community members are saying increasing the service charge could seriously impact them in a negative way, especially for low-income residents who are having trouble making ends meet already.
Multiple organizations even gathered right before the meeting to express their opposition.
The PUCN is hosting three public comment meetings throughout this month regarding NV Energy's request to adjust electricity and natural gas rates in northern Nevada, and the public is not happy.
"This is not just an economic issue, it's not just a social issue, it's not just an environmental issue, but it is absolutely a moral issue," said Rev. Dr. Debra Whitlock-Lax, pastor of Bethel Ame Church.
"We cannot let NV Energy make people choose between keeping the lights on each month and being able to put groceries on the table," said Olivia Tanager, Toiyabe chapter director of the Sierra Club.
NV Energy is requesting an increase to the basic service charge from $16.50 to $44.40.
"This is very concerning, it's actually an outrage," said Cathy Fulkerson, co-facilitator, for Third Act Nevada. "The national average basic service charge is $11. We're already paying more than that by paying the $16.50."
"It's going to be detrimental to not only lower-income to middle class people living here in Reno, but also to their idea and agreement to have their power come from renewable energy sources of 50% by 2030," said Nathaniel Lynn, regional manager for Sol-Up Solar.
However, NV Energy says that there's been some misunderstanding over how the price change will work.
If approved, they will increase the basic service charge, but they will also be decreasing other parts of the bills that vary depending on how much energy you use.
Katie Nannini, director of corporate communications for NV Energy, explains, "We want to make sure that bills are predictable for customers and so this proposal we worked really hard to make sure that by doing this we're able to make bills more predictable and more stable for customers."
Nannini says, for the average customer at least, the two adjustments will balance out. And there wouldn't be a change to the bottom line.
In 2023 the average bill for low-income customers was $109. That bill would drop to $104 with the new proposal. And for residential customers it would drop from $119 to $114.
"In doing that, it will not increase bills for lower income or for average customers. It just simply takes one component of the bill and moves it to the basic service charge which is set monthly," Nannini says.
No decisions have been made yet. If approved the new rates will become effective October 1st. To learn more about the proposal you can click here.
