Faster relief: Bureau of Consumer Protection files for cut in electric rates by June 30

Electric rates in Southern Nevada should be lowered June 30, saving the typical residential customer $17.50 a month during the summer, the Bureau of Consumer Protection said in papers filed Friday.

Nevada Power Co. will collect $92 million more than it has spent for fuel and wholesale power purchases if it is allowed to keep its rates unchanged until Oct. 1, the official said.

"Given the prospects of $4 gas and $5 for a loaf of bread, we need to be mindful of the consumers' needs," state consumer advocate Eric Witkoski said.

"Here, we have an opportunity to give consumers substantial relief on their electric bill at a time their bills will be the highest," Witkoski said. "It could be the difference between passing out when you see your bill and not (passing out)."

Nevada Power spokeswoman Chelsie Campbell said the company hasn't seen the bureau's filing and couldn't comment.

A week ago, Nevada Power filed papers with the Public Utilities Commission seeking permission to lower residential rates by 4.4 percent starting Oct. 1.

Deputy Attorney General Michael Saunders, who represents the Bureau of Consumer Protection, supported Witkoski's arguments that rates should be lowered June 30.

"Nevada currently leads the nation in foreclosures, while the U.S. economy as a whole is near a recession with inflation skyrocketing," Saunders said in the rate-case filing. "In times like these, the commission should not impose unnecessary costs on ratepayers when it will already be difficult for consumers to pay their utility bills."

The bureau calculated the $17.50 a month savings on an average single-family residential customer using 2,000 kilowatt hours of electricity monthly beginning June 30. Under Nevada Power's proposal, rates would come down on Oct. 1.

Contact reporter John G. Edwards at jedwards@reviewjournal.com or (702) 383-0420.