Bill to delay renewable energy projects passes

A bill to let the Public Utilities Commission delay renewable energy projects proposed to be built by NV Energy passed the Legislature late Monday.

The bill relates to efforts by several Las Vegas gaming companies and the data storage company Switch to leave Nevada Power Co., NV Energy’s subsidiary in Southern Nevada, and secure their own power on the wholesale market.

The bill was introduced by Assembly Speaker John Hambrick. The Sierra Club opposed the bill.

“This is a major disappointment and a blow to Nevada’s growing clean energy industry that has brought a lot of pride, jobs, and innovation to the state. This decision undercuts an historic agreement made by multiple parties of varying political affiliations and interests to grow our economy and cut back on dirty pollution,” Barbara Boyle, senior campaign representative with the Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal Campaign, said in a statement.

The bill would potentially lessen the cost to the companies seeking to leave Nevada Power. Leaving the utility will require the companies to pay an exit fee to cover the costs of closing the coal plants and building new renewable energy plants. If the plants are not built, the charge to the companies to leave could be less.

A decision on Switch’s application to leave Nevada Power is slated for next week at the PUC. Regulatory staff want the company to pay a $27 million exit fee. The company says it should only have to pay $18.5 million.