Las Vegas Sun  December 11, 2013  Currently: 33° — Complete
forecast | Log in  NV Energy customers may get zapped
for conserving  Pushing energy efficiency is affecting NV
Energy’s bottom line, prompting it to seek rate hike  Beyond the
Sun   NV Energy said programs it funds, such as subsidizing
energy-efficient light bulbs and helping customers replace old
air conditioners and refrigerators, will result in a loss of $35
million in energy sales this year in Clark County. A rate
increase of almost 5 percent will reimburse the utility for its
loss, it has told the Nevada Public Utilities Commission.  NV
Energy is asking for $7.5 million from Northern Nevada
customers, a 3 percent rate increase.  The PUC is expected this
month to rule on the request, which is facing opposition from
the Consumer Protection Bureau, part of the attorney general’s
office, as well as PUC staff.  The utility got permission to
seek such rate increases in a bill it pushed during the 2009
Legislature that passed easily.  Some economic de