Latest news with #SouthernNevadans
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
NV Energy's proposed rate hike panned by some, praised by others at consumer sessions
Vinny Spotleson of the Sierra Club speaks at a rally Wednesday protesting NV Energy's proposed rate hike. NV Energy's bid to raise electric rates drew condemnation from customers and support from non-profits that benefit from the largesse of the utility's charitable foundation at two consumer sessions held Wednesday by the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada. The utility, which provides electricity to most of Nevada, is asking state regulators to approve a revenue increase of $215.7 million that could hike rates by 9% in Southern Nevada. It's also asking to increase shareholder return on equity from 9.5% to 10.25%; level the playing field between rooftop solar and conventional ratepayers; and save low-income Southern Nevadans about $20 a month by eliminating their basic service charge. 'NV Energy is acting like it's so benevolent,' Las Vegan Angel DeFazio told the Current of the proposed elimination of the service charge for customers earning less than 150% of the federal poverty level. 'They're not the good guys. They're passing it on to us. They're just redistributing the cost.' But representatives of charitable groups and veterans organizations that receive grants from NV Energy voiced support for the rate hike, as did the Asian Chamber of Commerce and Latin Chamber of Commerce. 'My business community relies on energy, relies on being able to open their doors and conduct business. That takes an investment. That takes reliability. That is NV Energy,' said Peter Guzman, president of the Latin Chamber of Commerce. Guzman said he was not asked by NV Energy to speak on its behalf. The utility's spokesperson did not respond when asked if NV Energy solicited support from the organizations. Longtime gaming executive and former acting UNLV president Don Snyder, who is currently chairman of the United Way Board of Directors, defended the utility's bid to raise rates. Snyder said the non-profit touches one in four Nevadans through a variety of services. 'We are uniquely positioned to understand the needs of our community, particularly our low income individuals and families,' Snyder told PUC Commissioner Tammy Cordova, who is presiding over NV Energy's rate hike request. Snyder added United Way has a 'longstanding partnership' with NV Energy, its employees, and its foundation, which 'provides financial grants supporting utility assistance for our low income senior citizens.' Others contend now is no time to raise the cost of electricity. Dr. Mary House, co-founder of Caring, Helping & Restoring Lives (CHR), urged the commission to hold NV Energy accountable for energy policies that she says disproportionately affect low-income individuals and families. 'They're sacrificing necessary medicines just to pay their bills. They're limiting how much they spend on groceries just to pay their bills,' House said, adding many of the families her organization serves pay a disproportionate share of their income toward electricity. House added that she has taken steps to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and increase energy efficiency. 'But many households, the ones who I represent, don't have the means to even make those changes.' NV Energy overcharges at least 80,000 customers, scrimps on refunds House also encouraged the utility to fully refund overpayments of at least $17 million the utility assessed against some 70,000 customers in multi-family units over a 20-year span. Angela Hollimen moved to Las Vegas in 2018. The retiree said although she lives with family, making ends meet remains a struggle. 'Since I moved here, I've noticed that everything's been going up,' she said, adding her family has taken all the recommended steps to reduce energy costs. 'Were doing what we're supposed to do, and questioning whether we should have moved here.' Tracy Puckett, another retiree, said she 'saved and saved' to install a $30,000 rooftop solar array on her home. NV Energy's efforts to tweak its net metering formula will cost her and other solar customers more, extend the time it takes to recoup their investment, and deter more ratepayers from going solar. 'I want my investment to mean something.' The utility's request to impose peak usage rates on customers drew protests from ratepayers who say the scheme penalizes working people who are not home to run appliances during hours when the system faces less demand. A customer using 5 kWh would pay $27 more per month, while a customer using 6 kWh would pay $38 more per month, according to data provided by Advanced Energy United, a trade group that represents renewable energy providers. Total usage during the monthly billing period would be irrelevant. NV Energy peak usage plan could be costly for Southern Nevadans Should the PUC turn down the proposal for a peak demand rate, NV Energy wants to increase the basic service charge in Southern Nevada from $18.50 to $24, far less than the projected increase of maximum demand charges. The proposed changes 'reflect the company and its shareholders' best interests and not its customers',' Julia Hubbard of Solar United Neighbors (SUN), an organization dedicated to educating ratepayers, said at the consumer session. 'When someone goes solar, they are not just saving on future utility bills. They are adding infrastructure to the grid on their dime.' 'This proposal doesn't account for their recent mismanagement of customer classifications, resulting in millions of dollars in overcharges, or lack of real progress on their transportation electrification plan and their community solar program,' Hubbard said, adding the utility, charged with constructing 120 electric vehicle charging stations, has completed 40. Hubbard said NV Energy's plan to change the way it calculates net metering by calculating excess energy returned to the grid every 15 minutes rather than monthly, would reduce the value of rooftop solar and disincentivize investment in 'a powerful tool that Nevada residents can use to lighten their energy burden while contributing to statewide goals.' The change is expected to increase monthly bills for rooftop solar customers by about $11 a month, and would affect customers who apply for net metering after Oct. 1 of this year. The move would delay return on investment for homeowners who install rooftop solar in the future, Hubbard said. 'People are struggling to pay their energy bills,' she said. 'This is not the time to raise rates.' The PUC will hold hearings on NV Energy's rate hike request in September. If approved, the changes would go into effect in April 2026.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
CareSource and Three Square Food Bank unite to tackle hunger in Southern Nevada
Three Square honored with Heart of Community Award and monetary donation Three Square Community Kitchen CareSource employees volunteer at Three Square LAS VEGAS, May 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, CareSource Nevada, a nonprofit managed care organization recently selected to implement Nevada's Medicaid Managed Care Program, awarded Three Square Food Bank a $10,000 donation and a Heart of the Community Award. The award, recognizing exceptional commitment to improving health and well-being in communities, was presented during a volunteer event at Three Square's headquarters, where more than 100 CareSource team members packed hundreds of meals and grocery product for the one in six Southern Nevadans facing hunger. CareSource's volunteer efforts and financial support reflect a shared commitment to addressing food insecurity and enhancing the well-being of underserved Nevadans through the consideration of social determinants of health. 'With prices going up and more people struggling to make ends meet, the need for food assistance in our community keeps growing,' said Beth Martino, president and CEO of Three Square. 'Thanks to partners like CareSource, we can keep helping more people and stay focused on our mission to make sure everyone has dignified access to the food they need. Together, we're making a real difference.' Food insecurity remains a significant challenge across Southern Nevada, with 16% of Clark County residents experiencing limited access to nutritious food. In the rural counties of Esmeralda, Lincoln, and Nye, also served by Three Square, rates range from 13.6% to 21.94%. To fully meet the need, an estimated 57.8 million additional meals are required annually to close the gap left by federal nutrition programs and charitable resources. 'At CareSource, we believe health care goes beyond doctor visits; it's about building a healthier foundation for life,' said Jayme Puu, chief executive officer, CareSource Nevada. 'The donation and volunteering we provided to Three Square today are just the beginning of our long-term investment in Nevada's families.' ### CareSource Nevada CareSource Nevada Co. (CareSource Nevada) is a nonprofit managed care organization that seeks to provide access to high-quality care to Nevada Medicaid and Nevada Check-Up-eligible residents of the Silver State. Supported by CareSource's national managed health plan experience, CareSource Nevada transforms health care for Nevadans throughout the state through innovative programs that address the social determinants of health, prevention and access to care. Through its provider network and partnerships with community-based organizations in every region of Nevada, CareSource Nevada delivers care with heart. Learn more at About Three Square Food BankFounded in 2007 with a grant from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation and inspired by founder Eric Hilton, Three Square is Southern Nevada's only food bank and the largest hunger-relief organization serving Las Vegas and all of Clark, Lincoln, Esmeralda, and Nye counties. Since opening in 2007, Three Square has provided more than 644 million pounds of food to hundreds of thousands of people in need, earning a reputation as one of the most efficient and effective food banks in the nation. Three Square is a community-wide collaboration, partnering with businesses, nonprofit organizations, food distributors, higher education institutions, the Clark County School District, government agencies, the media, and thousands of volunteers to support food-insecure Southern Nevadans. Last year alone, Three Square provided more than 49 million pounds of food— the equivalent of over 41 million meals— through its network of 150 community partners. As a proud member of the Feeding America network, Three Square remains committed to providing wholesome food to those in need while passionately pursuing a hunger-free community. If you or someone you know needs food assistance, or wants to learn more about Three Square's vision of a community where no one is hungry, please connect at Facebook (@ThreeSquareFoodBank), Instagram (@threesquarelv) and X (@threesquarelv). Attachments Three Square Community Kitchen CareSource employees volunteer at Three Square CONTACT: Hannah Krafka CareSource 937-751-4862 Joe Ham Three Square 702.644.3663 x 333 jham@ in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Las Vegas food bank needs help due to federal funding cuts
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – A food bank in the Las Vegas valley is looking for community support following federal cuts to food programs. Last month, the USDA announced $1 billion worth of cuts to programs that affect food banks, including Southern Nevada's only food bank, Three Square Food Bank. 'Federal food for Three Square is really a lifeline,' Three Square Food Bank President and CEO Beth Martino said. 'We receive, in some years, almost 15 million pounds of food from the federal government through the federal commodities program, so any changes to that program definitely have an effect on what we're able to do here in the community.' The USDA announced the termination of two major federal programs in March — the Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program and the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program. These programs helped schools and food banks purchase fresh food directly from local farmers and producers. The cuts are a part of a broader effort by the Trump Administration to reduce federal spending. 'About one million pounds of food we were scheduled to receive were canceled,' Martino said. 'That was one million pounds of food that we expected to receive this spring, so what that really looks like for the people we serve is potentially less food that we're able to distribute in the community.' Martino also added that less food at Three Square means less food in the community and that one-in-seven Southern Nevadans struggles with hunger. Meanwhile, one-in-five children live in a food-insecure household. Three Square Food Bank provides millions of meals each year to the Southern Nevada community, but the recent federal cuts could mean less meals for families in need. And with rising costs, more families are finding it challenging to make ends meet. 'What we've seen since the pandemic is that food insecurity has worsened. It's actually increased dramatically since 2020,' Martino said. The federal cuts would not only affect the food bank's services but also numerous smaller nonprofits they supply across the region. 'It also means it affects local farmers and food producers who use that money to keep their operations going year-round,' Martino said. Three Square Food Bank is relying more than ever on community support through monetary and food donations. 'It's really important for us to have food out in the community to help people feed their families, keep food on the table all month long,' Martino said. To donate, visit Donate to Bag Childhood Hunger. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
NV Energy seeks 9% rate increase in Southern Nevada
(Photo: Ronda Churchill/Nevada Current) NV Energy is asking state regulators to approve a revenue increase of $215.7 million that could hike residential electricity rates by 9% in Southern Nevada. It's also asking to increase shareholder return on equity from 9.5% to 10.25%; level the playing field between rooftop solar and conventional ratepayers; and save low-income Southern Nevadans about $20 a month by eliminating their basic service charge, which would be subsidized by other ratepayers. The utility is seeking the increase to help recover the costs of 'important investments made prior to the hottest summer on record to ensure long-term affordability, reliability and sustainability of electric services in Nevada,' says a news release from NV Energy. 'These upgrades were crucial in meeting customer energy demand during last summer's record-breaking heatwave.' The upgrades to capital projects include Silverhawk, a natural gas plant designed to produce electricity during peak consumption periods, the Reid Gardner battery storage project, and the Greenlink transmission project. Greenlink's cost has ballooned from just under $2.5 billion to more than $4.2 billion, and could increase even more, should Pres. Donald Trump impose tariffs on Mexico. NV Energy is 'determining the cost impact of potential tariffs on imports from Mexico' and has 'executed several procurement contracts to import long lead time materials' from Mexico, according to testimony filed with the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada. The utility is also seeking to prematurely recoup the cost of constructing Greenlink, to generate cash flow during construction and help maintain credit ratings, executives said in testimony. If approved, the average residential customer would pay $3.57 more each month for construction in progress at Greenlink. In 2021, NV Energy CEO Doug Cannon told state lawmakers that 'Nevadans will not be asked to pay for this investment until at least five to six years down the road.' Despite Cannon's assertion, the utility sought state approval last year in its Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) to add the cost of construction of Greenlink to electric rates before the project is completed, which is usually not permitted because it requires customers to pay for a service not yet provided. The PUC ruled in December the financial impact of adding the costs of construction work in progress (CWIP) can only be determined in a general rate case, not in an IRP, and criticized the company for its about-face, questioning 'how NV Energy could make certain statements to the Legislature in May of 2021,' and the following year seek permission from federal regulators to charge ratepayers for CWIP. 'The company is faced with meeting the demands of growth, addressing system reliability, resource adequacy, legislative goals and mandates, and operational needs as it relates to sufficient levels of staffing, technology, and insurance – all of which necessitates investments above those currently reflected in the existing revenue requirement,' NV Energy vice president and chief financial officer Mike Behrens said in testimony submitted to the Public Utilities Commission justifying the utility's rate requests. The hike is needed to provide 'customers with a diverse energy generation portfolio, but to also enhance resource adequacy, increase grid hardening for sustained reliability, replace aging system components, and reduce wildfire risk.' NV Energy is proposing to eliminate the $18.50 monthly service charge in order to help make ends meet for low-income residential customers (those earning no more than 150% of the federal poverty level). An estimated 154,827 households in Southern Nevada would qualify, according to testimony from NV Energy. The program, which would take effect in April of 2026, is expected to cost $9.5 million a year with the participation of 30% of eligible customers and $30 million with 100% participation. At 30% participation, the average non-participating residential customer would pay an additional 42 cents a month to subsidize the program. However, the utility is proposing to defer the costs of the subsidy and charge interest, which would cost ratepayers more in the long run. NV Energy says its basic service charge of $18.50 for Southern Nevada customers is inadequate, but given its unsuccessful effort last year to triple the service charge in Northern Nevada to $45, the utility is proposing a demand charge rate for residential and small commercial customers in the south. Demand charges are designed to reduce the strain customers put on the grid at late afternoon and early evening hours. 'By turning more appliances on at a single point in time, a customer will be putting a greater strain on the electrical grid than they would if they were turning on only one appliance at a time,' testified Jeffrey Bohrman, director of Regulatory Pricing and Economic Analysis for NV Energy. The utility says the demand charges allow it to more accurately price its services, while offering consumers flexibility in controlling their use. The charge will also help NV Energy lessen the burden on full-service customers who subsidize costs for those with solar panels. Rooftop solar customers, by law, are charged rates 'far below cost-based levels,' Bohrman testified. If approved, demand charges would go into effect April 1, 2026. NV Energy is also proposing to change the net metering formula for rooftop solar customers whose systems were installed after June 15, 2017. Instead of calculating excess energy returned to the grid monthly, the utility is proposing to net excess energy every 15 minutes. The change is expected to increase monthly bills for rooftop solar customers by about $11 a month, and would affect customers who apply for net metering after Oct. 1 of this year. The proposal is expected to be opposed by rooftop solar companies. 'NV Energy remains committed to supporting customers who make the choice to utilize a solar resource at their homes – without negatively impacting non-solar customers,' the company said in a news release. The proposal would go into effect on Oct. 1, if approved by the PUC.
