Southwest Gas proposes rate hike, Northern Nevada residential bills would go up $5.80 a month
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Tue, 12/12/2023 - 2:50pm
Southwest Gas is proposing a 4 percent rate hike for Northern Nevada customers, with the average bill increase amounting to $5.80 a month. The Public Utilities Commission of Nevada has scheduled two consumer sessions on Thursday, Dec. 14, to hear public comments regarding the proposed rate hike.
The proposed annual revenue increase in Northern Nevada is approximately $8.8 million, or what amounts to 4.01 as the average percent across all tiers. SWG has also filed an application with the PUCN to increase its natural gas rates in its southern Nevada, proposing a 6.6 percent rate increase.
If SWG’s request is approved, the average monthly single-family residential bill for natural gas service in Northern Nevada, would increase $5.80, or 4.28 percent. Southern Nevada would increase an estimated $8.14, or 10.02 percent.
Included in SWG’s application are the revenue requirements associated with gas infrastructure replacement (GIR) and the Mesquite Expansion Project that was previously approved by the PUCN. SWG also seeks a determination of prudency for the GIR projects and for the costs associated with the Mesquite Expansion Project, according to PUCN.
Based on the evidence presented in the case, the PUCN may approve rates as proposed or decrease or increase rates as necessary to ensure rates are just and reasonable. Public comment regarding this application will be accepted in-person or telephonically at the consumer sessions.
Written comments also may be submitted to the PUCN electronically through the Electronic Filing System on the PUCN’s website, by hand-delivery or via U.S. Mail.
The consumer sessions, which will be video conferenced between the PUCN’s Carson City and Las Vegas offices, are scheduled as follows:
Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023, at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.
1 p.m. consumer session telephone conference line : 1-415-655-0001 Access code: 2531-150-0100
6 p.m. consumer session telephone conference line : 1-415-655-0001 Access code: 2530-999-5076
Written comments via U.S. Mail to be addressed as follows: PUCN
Attn: Docket No. 23-09012
1150 E. William St., Carson City, NV 89701;
or 9075 West Diablo Drive, Suite 250, Las Vegas, NV 89148
Public comment at the consumer session will be limited to the contents of the application.
Representatives from SWG and PUCN Regulatory Operations Staff will be present at the consumer sessions. Public comments may be limited to five minutes per person. A hearing on this application starts Monday, Feb. 26, 2024, at 10 a.m.
Information about this application is available on the PUCN’s website at puc.nv.gov. From the top navigational bar on the home page, select Dockets, followed by All Dockets. For information regarding the consumer sessions, contact the PUCN at (775) 684-6101 or (702) 486-7210. Live links to the consumer sessions and hearing will be available on the PUCN’s website. On the homepage, click on “Calendar – LISTEN LIVE!” to find those links.
