by: James Schaeffer
Posted: Apr 28, 2026 / 10:28 PM PDT
Updated: Apr 28, 2026 / 11:05 PM PDT
https://www.8newsnow.com/news/local-news/power-bill-fight-puts-company-in-spotlight
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A Nevada utility company is arguing a new energy charge won’t increase monthly bills and possibly might lower them, but some Las Vegas customers aren’t buying the argument and instead are telling NV Energy to see them in court.
Around 50 Las Vegas-area neighbors gathered at the Clark County Library on Tuesday for a town hall on a newly introduced NV Energy cost, the daily demand charge, which has been postponed twice since approved last year.Download the 8 News Now streaming app
Since February 2025, NV Energy has worked on the finer points for the demand charge and defended the measure as a revenue-neutral proposal that doesn’t change the average customer’s bill.
At multiple Public Utility Commission of Nevada (PUCN) meetings, watchdog groups characterized the charge as a punishment for early solar adopters and a measure that will put more strain on the power grid.
Stressed customers
Carolyn Fowler drove her Henderson neighbor to the hospital while on the way to a political rally against NV Energy. She stressed a lack of faith that the utility company has her neighbors’ best interests at heart.
“We’re getting squished from all sides, and they’ve got to stop it,” she said.
Fowler said she had lived in a townhouse for 11 years and calculated that her new bill with the demand charge would overcharge her by thousands of dollars over time.
“I don’t use that much energy,” she said. “It’s really difficult to make it when you’re a senior on a fixed income.”
Chauntille Roberts, regional director for Vote Solar, said she daily demand charge lacks a successful demonstration nationwide and suggested it would be illegal if implemented.
“Demand charges are for large load customers who have million-dollar energy systems that can manage their load,” Roberts said. “Everyday customers cannot do that.”
Roberts alleged the interest from NV Energy to move ahead with the charge has a connection to a possible multimillion-dollar budget shortfall.
NV Energy defends
A NV Energy spokesperson, who spoke with 8 News Now in September, said the change for the utility company has been in the works since February, reasserting a commitment to transparency.
“We give our explanation of why this is beneficial for customers,” she said. “And they either approve or don’t approve those expenses and all that happens before it ever appears in your bill.”
In terms of what the total cost will look like for each customer, the spokesperson said the analysts are still processing the data, given that their requested revenue rate was denied and lowered.AG sues NV Energy over demand charge, calls it unlawful
“The great news is that for folks at home, not much is going to change on your bill,” she said. “In terms of the final cost of your bill, our teams worked really hard to present some revenue-neutral proposals, which means it doesn’t change your bill.”
One change, the new daily demand charge, is due to begin on Jan. 1, 2027, but the spokesperson said the total cost varies.
“For some customers, they might see a lower bill because of this,” she said.
