The Nevada Independent Electrical grid failures have been pinpointed as sources of some of the country’s most damaging and deadly wildfires — the 2018 Camp and Woolsey fires in California, the 2020 Santiam Fire in Oregon and the 2021 Marshall Fire in Colorado. When the smoke dissipates, the cost of paying for these disasters hits utilities, and their customers, hard. In … [Read more...]
Fire in Sparks Warehouse District Damages 3 Vacant Buildings
SPARKS — Sparks fire officials are investigating a blaze that severely damaged three unoccupied buildings in a warehouse district near the Nugget hotel-casino where several of fires were started over the past 18 months by trespassers in abandoned structures. No injuries were reported in the fire that broke out at the one-story buildings just after 9:15 a.m. Monday south of … [Read more...]
To thwart wildfire ignitions from power lines, NV Energy could temporarily cut power to residents
By Daniel RothbergThe Nevada Independent Over the past year, electric utilities across the country have watched as damages arising from two years of devastating wildfires drove California giant Pacific Gas and Electric into bankruptcy. Wildfire managers have long warned against campfires and fireworks in dry forested areas. Now they are increasingly focusing their attention … [Read more...]
Gas line installation begins on Sparks Boulevard
The city of Sparks and NV Energy have began work to upgrade its natural gas service with the installation of an 18-inch steel natural gas main on Sparks Blvd. Throughout the approximately 12-week project, NV Energy’s contractor for the project, Q & D Construction, will close the pedestrian/bike path that runs parallel to the North Truckee Drain. Detours will be in … [Read more...]
Regulators Approve NV Energy Plan to Build Six New Solar Power Plants
By Riley Snyder, The Nevada Independent With little fanfare or discussion, Nevada regulators have approved a major energy supply plan that will result in construction of six major solar projects and conditionally retire one of the state’s two remaining coal-firing power plants by 2021. The three members of the Public Utilities Commission voted unanimously on Friday to … [Read more...]
Atlantis Casino Becomes Latest Business Filing to Leave Nv Energy as a Customer
By Riley Snyder, The Nevada Independent Yet another major casino has filed to leave NV Energy, the state’s primary electric utility, and purchase power on the open market. According to a filing made with Public Utilities Commission of Nevada last month, Reno-based Atlantis Casino Resort Spa is seeking to become the latest in a growing line of major electric customers to … [Read more...]
Customers Should Be Able to Shop for Electricity
Question 3 on the 2016 General Election ballot — the Energy Choice Initiative — passed by an overwhelming 72.4 percent to 27.6 percent. The measure failed in only one county, White Pine, but by only four votes. Because the measure would amend the state Constitution it is back on the ballot this fall for final voter approval, but this time around a coalition headed by the … [Read more...]
NV Energy lowers rates
Rates for NV Energy customers have decreased for the second consecutive quarter of the year, the utility announced. Effective this month, residential and other customers will see an overall electric rate decrease of 4 percent. Natural gas rates will drop 7.41 percent overall across the various customer classifications. “The company’s previous investments in efficient, … [Read more...]