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NV groups share concerns about utilities' impact on health and the environment / Public News Service

Nevada's Public Utilities Commission listened to local leaders' concerns at consumer meetings this week, where people protested rising electric bills from NV Energy and Southwest Gas and questioned what they said were the companies' increasing reliance on fossil fuels.

Kristee Watson, executive director of the Nevada Conservation League, claimed NV Energy wants to push spending on methane gas – a fuel source that she said has “dangerous” impacts on the environment but would also impact Nevadans' wallets.

“When we rely on a dirty, volatile energy source like methane gas,” she said, “Nevada residents are always at risk of spikes and being left riding the wave of the cost of that commodity.”

Watson pointed to what she called the “unpredictability” of fossil fuels as energy sources. Your organization and others are calling on the PUCN to prioritize clean, affordable and reliable energy. As an example, they cite solar energy, from which not only Nevada but also neighboring states could benefit.

In a statement, NV Energy said: “In Southern Nevada, bills will be lower through the end of 2024 than in 2023… we have heard from our customers and are always working to keep bills affordable.”

Dr. Joanne Leovy, steering chair of Nevada Clinicians for Climate Action, said her group believes the PUCN should make climate goals a top priority and begin considering public health impacts in its decision-making. She said this is something that is not currently mandated, calling it “a disgrace” and pointing out that health care costs associated with fossil fuels are high.

“Really,” she said, “any delay in fully transitioning to renewable energy is a missed opportunity, both to improve health and reduce costs.”

Leovy said the impacts also include air pollution, which causes or worsens a variety of health conditions that directly impact communities. The groups have posted information about the impact of energy supply decisions online at Utilitywatchnv.org.

Disclosure: The Nevada Conservation League contributes to our fund for reporting on civic engagement, climate change/air quality, public lands/wilderness and water. If you would like to support news in the public interest, click here.

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By Vanessa

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