Hearing Set on Northern Nevada Utility Rate Increase Plan
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Updated: 6:34 PM Mar 17, 2008
Hearing Set on Northern Nevada Utility Rate Increase Plan
A March 25 consumer session is scheduled in Reno on a $111 million rate increase request that would boost electricity bills of typical Sierra Pacific Power Co. residential customers by nearly 16 percent.
Posted: 3:31 PM Mar 17, 2008
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CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) - A March 25 consumer session is scheduled in Reno on a $111 million rate increase request that would boost electricity bills of typical Sierra Pacific Power Co. residential customers by nearly 16 percent.

The state Public Utilities Commission is seeking comment on the plan, which would take effect next July, to recover costs stemming from a new, gas-fired generating plant at Sierra's Tracy plant. Of the $111 million, $75 million is attributed to that 541-megawatt plant.

The overall increase for Sierra's business and residential customers in northern Nevada is just under 13 percent. For typical residential customers using 750 kilowatt hours of electricity, monthly bills would increase 15.6 percent, from about $98 to $113.

Michael Yakira, chief executive officer of Sierra's parent Sierra Pacific Resources, has said the new power plant will give the Reno-based utility enough generation to meet more than 90 percent of customers' electricity demand.

Yakira added that the goal is to reduce dependence on outside energy suppliers, which should help stabilize energy prices for customers in the long run.

While the proposal would mean higher rates, Sierra also said previously approved fuel and purchased power costs the company has
been recovering from customers will expire in July and reduce electric rates by approximately $40 million.


Latest Comments

Posted by: Jeff Location: Dayton on Aug 2, 2008 at 06:22 PM

Is there anything we can do about this crazy increase? My bill went from $82-$213 that's a little more than 16 percent. How is this even legal?
Posted by: Bobbie Thomas on Mar 18, 2008 at 01:12 PM

What in God's name do these people from the Power Company expect the every day working person to do? People can't afford to pay power bills now and they keep wanting more and more to keep their share holders happy I suppose. Well if the people that worked at the power company had to pay what the rest of us pay they might change their attitudes a little. They only pay half of what their bill is plus they make the big money and could afford to pay the full price. It just doesn't seem fair does it. On top of everything else if you can't pay they shut your power off and you just do without whether you have little kids or elderly it does not make a difference to those people. After all this, I am sure the Public Utilities Commission will give them what they want they always do.
Posted by: Tony Location: Virginia Foothills on Mar 18, 2008 at 08:12 AM

I am a senior citizen trying hard to keep my energy costs down without success. I was threatened by the power company to cut me off because I couldnt pay my outrageous bill! I keep my thermostat set at 62 degrees and it is cold all the time in my house. I am now paying $100 a month to try to catch up on my bill which is impossible since my bill is over $400 from previous usage, and I am charged about $240 a month. I am sorry but I think it is immoral to make us freeze while making sure your stock holders make a profit on our misery! I think something vital as electricity should be totally controlled by the government and not by Stock Holders! Shame on you, Sierra Pacific, for more price gouging Northern Nevadans.....we get priced gouged enough here already!
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