Utility regulators criticized for cutting energy efficiency programs
CARSON CITY — An advocacy group on Tuesday criticized the Nevada Public Utilities Commission for slashing energy efficiency programs for Southern Nevada residential and business customers of NV Energy.
The Southwest Energy Efficiency Project said three programs were completely shuttered with a Tuesday vote by the three-member panel. The rest of NV Energy’s programs were funded at low levels for 2016-2018.
Programs that were eliminated include a residential lighting program that lowered the cost of LED lamps sold in stores, a refrigerator recycling program and a pool pump program that provided incentives for installation of highly efficient pool pumps.
“The PUCN’s decision was not based on the evidence presented in the case,” said Howard Geller, executive director of the group. “No party in the case proposed eliminating these three programs or argued that they are ineffective.”
He said the decision was not in the public interest.
Geller said utility customers will save a slight amount on their monthly utility bills in the short run, but will pay more down the road when NV Energy and its Southern Nevada entity, Nevada Power, must meet growing demand for electricity by building new power plants or purchasing power on the open market.
At the last minute, a proposal by Commission Chairman Paul Thomsen to reinstate funding for Energy Smart Schools program was approved by the commission. But funding was approved for only one year, not the full three-year plan period, Geller said.
Contact Sean Whaley at swhaley@reviewjournal.com or 775-687-3900. Find him on Twitter: @seanw801