A 500-kilovolt power line running up eastern Nevada that has been carrying electricity for eight years could cost Western Nevadans an estimated average extra $40.50 over nine months this year.
The One Nevada Transmission Line was energized Dec. 31, 2013, with95 percent of the costs paid by Nevada Power and 5 percent by Sierra Pacific Power Co.
After almost six years, the costs were re-allocated with a quarter going to Sierra Pacific. Because their rate case wouldn’t be filed until this year.
Because Nevada Power continued to collect 75 percent of the line, but Sierra Pacific was only collecting 5 percent beginning Jan. 1, 2021.
The company raised the issue with the Public Utilities Commission in spring 2020, but the rate increase was deferred due to the coronavirus outbreak.
According to the rate filing, if Sierra Pacific waits until its next rate cycle there will have been two full years without collecting the additional costs.
If the commission denies the request, that means another $1.258 million in rates will go uncollected over the rest of this year.
The company claims that increasing rates by an average of $4.50 per household will actually save customers $4.652 million over the next two years.
At a hearing set for 6 p.m. Thursday, the Public Utilities Commission is expected to take public comment about the rate increase.
A hearing on the actual rate increase is Feb. 17.
For more information about how to comment, visit puc-nv.gov
