NV Energy Puts Temporary Savings Above the Safety Of Its Customers and Their Homes (opinion)
To All Northern Nevada Residents, Effective July 1, 2020 NV Energy raised the fees for a customer disconnect/reconnect. From the original application, it is evident that these fees were increased in order to offset the $5 million dollar revenue decrease requested. Now, NV Energy seeks to fulfill an additional $120 million revenue decrease. While this reduction in revenue benefits residential customers in the short-term, the recent request continues to penalize Northern Nevadans from making needed repairs to their homes electrical systems. In short, NV Energy has chosen to put temporary savings above the safety of its customers and their homes.
First, NV Energy states in its filing to the Public Utilities Commission on June 1, 2020 that they “want to be part of the solution and help our customers financially,” and that “in order to achieve that, this case must represent a balanced approach.” NV Energy has revised the fee for a disconnect/reconnect from $40 to $275. This is a near 700% increase. This does not represent this “balanced approach.”
Second, it is useful to understand the need for a disconnect/reconnect. These are largely needed to replace or repair damaged, malfunctioning or unsafe electrical equipment. These are not typically due to “elective” upgrades by the customer. For example, nearly 95% of all panel replacements performed by The Happy Outlet, LLC are due to equipment that represents a real fire and/or safety hazard. By disproportionately raising the cost of a disconnect/reconnect, NV Energy makes it more expensive for its customers, and in doing so compromises their customers families and homes safety.
Third, while no one can know the future, it is likely – if not almost certain – that NV Energy’s reduced cost of operations is temporary. Therefore, any savings to residential customers is also likely temporary. Conversely, maintenance, repair and replacement of customers unsafe electrical equipment will always be needed.
Finally, we do understand that the all costs naturally increase. It is for this reason we submit that the fees for a disconnect/reconnect rise proportionately to NV Energy’s cost of operations. If NV Energy is able to truly serve residential customers more efficiently than there should be no need to choose temporary saving over the safety of Northern Nevada residents.
We respectfully submit this letter as written testimony to the telephone conference entitled “CONSUMER SESSION,” scheduled for Thursday, September 10, 2020 at 6:00PM. All concerned residents may also join the schedule telephone conference by calling 1-877-82-7831 and entering the access code 581669.
Sincerely,
Jesse Olson, General Manager
Jennifer Howard, Operations Manager