By LAS VEGAS — NV Energy announced it will propose to allow existing net energy metering customers to remain on old rules over a transition period as long as 20 years. Today’s announcement comes as the company prepares for ongoing Public Utilities Commission of Nevada (PUCN) proceedings on net energy metering.
“This grandfathering proposal is being offered in recognition of NV Energy’s desire to treat all customers, including those who had previously made a decision to install rooftop solar, fairly,” said Paul Caudill, NV Energy president and chief executive officer.
The company did not take a position on grandfathering in its original filing made July 31, 2015. On February 1, it will submit its new proposal to the PUCN recommending that rooftop solar customers who installed systems prior to the PUCN’s orders be allowed to remain on the old net energy metering rules over a transition period as long as 20 years. The proposal will also recommend that customers who submitted valid applications prior to the PUCN’s order be provided the same opportunity.
“We recognize the difficult job that the PUCN, PUCN staff, policy makers, and for that matter, all parties in this proceeding have had in trying to reach decisions on this complex issue,” said Paul Caudill, NV Energy president and chief executive officer. “We also understand the history of net metering in Nevada and that a fair, stable and predictable cost environment is important to all of our customers. Our proposal seeks a balance for those who selected solar prior to the implementation of the new rules ordered by the PUCN and those without solar.”
“Going back to the 2015 legislative session, key stakeholders and industry participants agreed that rules for net metering needed to change,” said Shawn Elicegui, NV Energy senior vice president of regulatory and strategic planning. “The December 23, 2015 Commission order was the result of a fully litigated, public proceeding made on the basis of a sound evidentiary record. The record includes two hearings, the testimony of 28 witnesses, more than 100 exhibits, and hours of transcribed testimony. NV Energy’s rate proposal was not accepted by the PUCN, but recognizing the open public regulatory process, we will fully comply with the balance of the order. We feel strongly, however, that the grandfathering proposal we plan to make fairly balances the interests of all of NV Energy’s customers and stakeholders.”
On September 1, 2015, the PUCN ordered that prior net metering rules and rates would remain in effect until new ones were established. In addition, on December 23, 2015, the PUCN issued an order in the net energy metering regulatory proceeding that established new rules and rates. The order also established a four-year phased transition period to the new rates for net energy metering customers, including those who had installed rooftop solar systems prior to the date of the order.
NV Energy, Inc. provides a wide range of energy services to 1.3 million customers throughout Nevada and nearly 40 million tourists annually. NV Energy is a holding company whose principal subsidiaries, Nevada Power Company and Sierra Pacific Power Company, are doing business as NV Energy. The company is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. Information about NV Energy is available on the company’s website, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube pages, which can be accessed via nvenergy.com.
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