Access to electricity is considered a basic right in modern times, but energy costs are increasing.

NV Energy explains recent hike in energy costs

At the start of this year, the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada announced they had approved a rate increase for Southern Nevada.

We recently spoke with the Energy and Policy Institute (EPI), a watchdog group for utilities, about their ongoing efforts to gather data and understand the disconnection rates of NV Energy.

To this end, EPI has made an open record request for the past three years of customer complaints filed against NV Energy.

As of now, they have obtained records of hundreds of complaints filed between January 2023 and September 2023.

EPI criticized NV Energy for requesting consumers to partially fund advertising while people struggle with bills.

"NV Energy used the Super Bowl to tout its own brand and then also advertise this PowerShift program, which we know, at least in the past, has been recovered by customers," said Energy and Policy Institute (EPI) Research Assistance Keriann Conroy. "It is a pretty egregious example of the utilities serving their commercial customers while residential customers bear the weight." 

In NV Energy's most recent public utilities rate case, the Bureau of Consumer Protection released information showing that NV Energy customers were funding at least part of NV Energy's PowerShift advertising campaign.

Friday, we spoke with NV Energy regarding EPI's work highlighting customer complaints and the cost of the PowerShift advertising campaigns on consumers.

An NV Energy spokesperson responded with the following statement:

NV Energy is committed to ensuring Nevadans have access to reliable, affordable and sustainable power. The company takes customer complaints very seriously and thoroughly investigates grievances to resolve concerns and offer solutions.

NV Energy encourages any customers who are concerned about energy bills to reach out to the company. NV Energy offers a variety of products and services to help customers save energy and lower their bills. Learn more at Save Energy | NV Energy.  

The process for termination of service is regulated by the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada. More information about those rules and regulations can be found on the Commission's website here: Termination of Service (nv.gov). It's worth noting that when the temperature is 105 degrees in southern NV or (100 degrees in Northern Nevada) the utility is not allowed to disconnect service, per NAC 704.375(7)(a)(2)(III). Disconnecting service is never NV Energy's desired outcome.

The Public Utilities Commission of Nevada's Consumer Bill of Rights outlines a utility's obligations under the law in providing vital services to everyone. You can read more here: Consumer Bill of Rights | NV Energy

NV Energy's statement on PowerShift:

NV Energy's PowerShift program helps customers reduce their energy usage and their bills, through a number of different programs and offerings, including free in-home assessments and free smart thermostats. Customers are encouraged to learn more here: Save Energy | NV Energy

NV Energy is allowed and does seek to recover the limited amount of advertisement costs associated with our PowerShift program through filings made before the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada in accordance with Nevada law. The Commission reviews and approves these expenditures.

NV Energy is proud of its commitment to our communities.  Supporting local charities, events and sports teams is an integral and expected part of being a responsible community partner.  We take the stewardship of the money we receive from customers’ rates very seriously and work hard to provide affordable, sustainable and reliable service to our customers while doing so in a financially responsible way.  We are also proud to be among the nation's leaders in clean energy development. Rest assured, we will remain committed to our customers and our communities long into the future.