UPDATED: I have obtained the amendment being floated by Switch to dramatically change the statute under which ratepayers can leave the NV Energy grid, making it much easier and cheaper. I have attached it here.
In a move that could dramatically affect power rates in Nevada, three major casino companies recently filed applications to exit the state's utility monopoly, following in the footsteps of data giant Switch.
Switch filed its application last November, but Wynn Resorts, MGM Resorts and Las Vegas Sands filed theirs starting a few weeks ago, documents show. (Their letters are attached here, and if you want to see the full docket on the Switch case, it is here under 14-11007.
The utility and regulators are greatly concerned about the ramifications on smaller users, but Switch's Adam Kramer argues that the move relieves the green burden from the utility. Here's what Kramer sent me:
Several of Nevada’s largest private companies have formed a consortium to privately build $300+ million dollars of solar plants removing the burden of commercial growth from NV Energy and Nevada homeowners.
According to the US Department of Energy Nevada has the second highest power pricing in the West Coast after California. Energy costs for all consumers will go up if NV Energy continues with its plan to build 300 MW of solar facilities as a result of legislation from the 2013 legislative session (SB123).
Several of Nevada’s well known companies have proposed a private solution to solve that problem and bring Nevada’s power pricing more in line with the states surrounding it. Solar technology and pricing have opened up new and exciting solutions to help Nevadans with their power bills. By taking the entire burden of generating electricity for their corporate use on themselves, this consortium help’s NV energy focus on bringing new technologies and better prices to its end user homeowner rate base.
Sounds innocuous.
I'm also reliably told that Switch et. al. are trying to smooth the exit by proposing an amendment in the waning days before the legislative committee deadline. If they find a bill to attach it to, this will get even more interesting.
UPDATED: I have obtained the amendment being floated by Switch to dramatically change the statute under which ratepayers can leave the NV Energy grid, making it much easier and cheaper. I have attached it here.
In a move that could dramatically affect power rates in Nevada, three major casino companies recently filed applications to exit the state's utility monopoly, following in the footsteps of data giant Switch.
Switch filed its application last November, but Wynn Resorts, MGM Resorts and Las Vegas Sands filed theirs starting a few weeks ago, documents show. (Their letters are attached here, and if you want to see the full docket on the Switch case, it is here under 14-11007.
The utility and regulators are greatly concerned about the ramifications on smaller users, but Switch's Adam Kramer argues that the move relieves the green burden from the utility. Here's what Kramer sent me:
According to the US Department of Energy Nevada has the second highest power pricing in the West Coast after California. Energy costs for all consumers will go up if NV Energy continues with its plan to build 300 MW of solar facilities as a result of legislation from the 2013 legislative session (SB123).
Several of Nevada’s well known companies have proposed a private solution to solve that problem and bring Nevada’s power pricing more in line with the states surrounding it. Solar technology and pricing have opened up new and exciting solutions to help Nevadans with their power bills. By taking the entire burden of generating electricity for their corporate use on themselves, this consortium help’s NV energy focus on bringing new technologies and better prices to its end user homeowner rate base.
Sounds innocuous.
I'm also reliably told that Switch et. al. are trying to smooth the exit by proposing an amendment in the waning days before the legislative committee deadline. If they find a bill to attach it to, this will get even more interesting.
Suddenly taxes and Uber seem less interesting....
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