Take Action Against NV Energy Rate Hikes!
Public Utilities Vs. Private For-Profit Utilities
Public utilities are owned and operated by Nevadans like you and me through a government entity. Private utilities like NV Energy are an investor-owned company, run by Wall St. corporations like Berkshire Hathaway investments. Berkshire Hathaway is a Warren Buffet firm. They also run energy companies MidAmerican Energy in the midwest and PacifiCorp in Oregon and Washington state. Investor-owned companies have a legal mandate to provide a “reasonable” profit for their shareholders, no matter what that means for us.
In contrast, true publicly run utilities are legally disallowed from making a profit and must use all funds collected to make sure we get our energy safely and reliably and pay employees. They do not have greedy private investors taking our bill payments and profiting. The best example of a public utility in Nevada is the Southern Nevada Water Authority. Another investor-owned utility in Nevada is Southwest Gas.
Primer on investor-owned utilities
There are many ways NV Energy attempts to inflate profits, including rate hikes, opposing rooftop solar, lowering net metering rates to pay customers less than market value for their power, and increasing connection fees.
Rate Hikes, Overcharging, and Lobbying
The Nevada State Legislature was working on passing a community solar bill that would have made solar energy more affordable and accessible to Nevadans. Instead, NV Energy lobbied against that bill and for a “compromise” that the corporation would establish community solar projects. These “community” solar projects have lagged behind while NV Energy has gotten our families to pay for a non-renewable gas plant.
In September 2024, NV Energy attempted to triple the connection charge for Northern Nevadans in Washoe and Elko counties. Thanks to the voices of community members and organizing partners, we were able to get this proposed increase squashed at the Public Utilities Commission.
Earlier in 2025, it was found that Nevada Energy had been over charging some customers who were misclassified since 2001. Upon discovery, the utility corporation refunded just 6 months of overcharges, despite them collecting unearned money for decades.
In July of 2025, the Bureau of Consumer Protections found that NV Energy was trying to pass the cost of “limos and luxury hotels” onto our households. “Overall, the BCP identified more than $16 million in what they call “imprudent” expenses that it says the PUC should not allow the utility to pass on to ratepayers. That’s in addition to $3 million in expenses, which NV Energy removed after being questioned about the charges.”(KTNV)
This year, Nevada Energy is seeking a 9% rate increase, an increase to how much money their Wall St. investors will make from our rates, increasing how much we get charged when we use energy at the hottest time of the day or busiest times in our households, and a change that would undercut those of us who can produce our own power from the sun that would raise costs for households with solar.
In September 2025, the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada voted to approve a $148 million rate increase, that included a new “daily demand charge that will punish Nevadans each day for the 15 minutes they use the most energy.
Accountability for Nevada Energy
The Public Utilities Commission is in charge of regulating NV Energy, as well as all investor-owned utilities in Nevada. Their mission is to make sure NV Energy complies with all state laws and balances the needs of customers with shareholder profits. If NV Energy wants to raise our rates (which they have done multiple times in the last 20 years), they have to apply to do so through a rate case with the PUC.
At PUCN meetings, community members are able to voice their concerns to the publicly appointed board about rate increases and investments in non-renewable energy, while also advocating for clean energy and accountability for corporate greed. PLAN and our partners have been organizing Nevadans to mobilize to meetings and let their voices be heard.
Take Action with Us!
Nevada families, regardless of whether they are Black, white, or brown, deserve clean, affordable energy. PLAN’s Utility Justice Campaign is focused around making sure our families have clean, affordable, and sustainable energy. When our community stands in solidarity and raises our voices for affordable and renewable energy, we can hold corporations like Nevada Energy accountable. Together, we can ensure future generations of Nevadans have access to clean air and water. Join us at the following events and take action!
Political Education: October 11
PLAN’s Utility Justice Campaign is focused around making sure our families have clean, affordable, and sustainable energy. When our community stands in solidarity and raises our voices for affordable and renewable energy, we can hold corporations like Nevada Energy accountable. Together, we can ensure future generations of Nevadans have access to clean air and water. Join us at the following events and take action!
Upcoming Public Utilities Commission Meetings
Recently, the Commission approved a daily demand charge that will raise bills for working families, opened an investigation into overcharges by NV Energy, and is reviewing how fuel costs are shared between ratepayers and utilities including possible refunds with interest.
Now it’s your turn to be heard. Commissioners need to know how these decisions affect real people, our homes, health, and livelihoods. Whether you speak for your household, your neighborhood, or your business, your story matters. When we show up and speak up, we remind decision makers that our voices are power.
Join us on Wednesday, October 22 at 1 p.m. or 6 p.m.
📍Hearing Room A at the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada: 9075 West Diablo Drive, Suite 250, Las Vegas, NV 89148
Join the Utility Justice Campaign at the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada (PUCN) for a public workshop on Assembly Bill 458, sponsored by Assemblymember Howard Watts. This new law opens the door for affordable housing residents to benefit directly from solar energy and net metering, creating pathways for cleaner, cheaper, community-based power.
At this workshop, Commissioners will hear feedback on how AB458 should be implemented including tariffs, contracts, and construction standards for solar-powered affordable housing systems. This is your opportunity to speak up about how these changes could impact your home, your rent, and your energy bills.
Whether you live in affordable housing, work in solar installation, or simply believe everyone deserves access to renewable energy, your story matters. The rules written now will shape who benefits from solar energy for years to come so let’s make sure they work for the people, not just the utilities.
Join us on 12:45 PM on Monday, November 4
📍Public Utilities Commission of Nevada: 9075 West Diablo Drive, Suite 250, Las Vegas, NV 89148
Join our Public Utilities Campaign, Become a PLANista
Join PLAN’s Utility Justice Campaign and help us hold investor-owned utilities accountable for price-gouging our families and polluting our air and water!