Nevada power units close as utility turns away from coal

LAS VEGAS — NV Energy has closed three units at a coal-fired power plant it operates outside of Las Vegas.

The late December retirement of the units at Reid Gardner leaves one generating unit that is expected to close in 2017. The power plant produced up to 557 megawatts of electricity at its peak.

The Las Vegas Sun reports that the shuttering of the power plant won’t have a big impact on the power grid or increase rates for customers of NV Energy.

The utility says the capacity of the retired units has been replaced by power generated at two natural gas plants.

The Nevada Legislature passed a bill in 2013 directing NV Energy to move away from coal and seek out other energy options.