August 19, 2026 – On August 18th, Nevada legislators refused to support banning the daily demand charge. Community groups are committed to fighting the daily demand charge and issued the following statements.
“We stand firm in our belief that NV Energy’s daily demand charge will make home energy costs more unpredictable and unaffordable,” said Jackie Spicer, Coalition Coordinator for the Nevada Environmental Justice Coalition. “While it is frustrating legislators were not willing to support this BDR, we will continue to push back against any rate design that would make energy burdens worse in Nevada.”
“Families across Nevada are already making difficult choices to keep up with the rising cost of living. They should not have to keep making sacrifices just to keep the lights on,” said Audrey Peral, Program Director for Chispa Nevada. “We are disappointed that stopping NV Energy’s proposed daily demand charge is not being treated with the urgency it deserves. A demand charge would make energy bills harder to understand and could hit working families the hardest because they have little control over when they need to use the most energy. Chispa Nevada will continue standing with our communities and holding decision-makers accountable as we fight for an energy system that is affordable, equitable, and works for everyone.”
Leslie Vega, the Climate and Energy Program Manager of The Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada released the following statement: “Families are already navigating higher costs for rent, groceries, transportation, child care and other daily necessities like medication. Adding a new and unfamiliar way of calculating electric bills creates a financial uncertainty for households already stretching every dollar. Working class communities of color, often in aging neighborhoods, who can’t spread their energy usage across the day will particularly be subject to higher utility bills. The Public Utilities Commission is failing time and time again to protect the interests of Nevada residents, the legislature needed to take action. There is no excuse for putting the profits of a Wall Street-owned monopoly over the needs of communities struggling to stay afloat.”
“Yesterday, Nevadans showed up and made their voices clear: families should not be penalized for when and how they use electricity in their own homes. After nearly an hour of public testimony overwhelmingly supporting action to prohibit the daily demand charge, it is deeply disappointing that not one member of the committee was willing to make a motion to move this proposal forward. At a time when families are already struggling with rising utility bills, Nevadans deserve elected leaders who are willing to stand with consumers and hold powerful utilities accountable. Faith in Action Nevada will continue organizing with communities across our state to ensure that affordability, transparency, and the voices of everyday Nevadans—not simply the interests of utility companies—shape Nevada’s energy future.” — Shaunda Johnson, Executive Director, Faith in Action Nevada
“I have two jobs, and I still couldn’t cover the power bill this summer. My husband picked up working weekends, and we still ended up on an NV Energy payment plan. Our apartment in East Las Vegas is old, the AC runs all day and it barely keeps up, and there’s nothing we can do about that. If they add this demand charge, I don’t know what’s left to give up. We’re already giving up everything we can.” – Gina P, Member of Make the Road Nevada
Barbara Hartzell, Member of the Chemehuevi Indian Tribe and Executive Director of Indigenous Voices of Nevada issued the following statement: “The Silver State is breaking records when it comes to sweltering temperatures, but the cost to stay safe and cool is becoming too high to pay. Nevadans have been clear that relief is needed with extreme heat and the rising cost of living. As a community that faces inequitable access at every turn, we know all too well how detrimental extreme heat can be to our health. From elders to youth, keeping our homes cool is essential, not a luxury. While yesterday’s lack of action on these subjects is a disappointment, we will continue to work towards making relief a reality.”
Shelbie Swartz, Executive Director of Battle Born Progress, issued the following statement: “We stand firmly against NV Energy’s daily demand charge and believe that it will make customer bills unpredictable and more expensive. It was disheartening to see legislators refuse to support a BDR to address the exploitation of customers by a huge utility company. Nevadans need leaders who will fight against corporate interests and fight for improving their ability to thrive. As energy prices rise, we Nevadans need our legislators to hold our utility company accountable and ensure that it does not take advantage of us to pad the pockets of their shareholders.”
“Nevada lawmakers had an opportunity to address a daily demand charge that has raised serious concerns for families across the state, but the proposal did not advance. That does not make the demand charge fair, reasonable, or good policy. Nevadans should not have their monthly electric bills determined by a single 15-minute window of electricity use, especially during extreme summer heat when families need reliable access to cooling. Vote Solar will continue fighting to eliminate the daily demand charge and advance policies that give Nevada families greater control over their energy bills, expand access to affordable clean energy, and put customers ahead of utility profits.” – Chauntille Roberts, Interior West Regional Director, Vote Solar
“Our faith calls us to stand with people carrying the heaviest burdens, not add to them. If a policy makes it harder for working families, seniors, and low-income households to afford something as basic as electricity, then we have to question who that policy is really serving. Energy equity means the people with the least should not be asked to carry the most.” — Justin Hopson, Clean Energy Organizer, Faith Organizing Alliance
“At a time when the cost of living in Nevada is higher than ever, working families, seniors and those on fixed incomes simply cannot afford the higher energy bills the Daily Demand Charge will generate. Nevada should be making clean energy more affordable and attainable for all instead of allowing a rate system that penalizes families and those who already rely on solar. We will continue to use every avenue available to fight this junk charge.” – Janet Carter, Sierra Club Toiyabe Chapter Member
“NV Energy’s daily demand charge is an unjust rate structure that will hit hardest the families with the least ability to change when they use electricity—including those in older homes, people trying to stay safely cool during Nevada’s extreme summers, and rooftop solar customers. No one should be penalized for using the energy they need to protect their health and families. Nevada lawmakers had a clear opportunity to oppose daily demand charges and failed to act.” — Mary Wagner, Moms Clean Air Force
Have you contacted your representatives about the daily demand charge? Visit toiyabechapter.org/bandailydemand to send a message directly to your representatives in the Nevada Senate and Assembly! Do your legislators represent your interests or the interests of NV Energy?
