Nevada PUC approves 7¢ TDD surcharge, extends Brightline West deadlines and OKs Southwest Gas tariff changes

The Public Utilities Commission of Nevada approved several regulatory items in a short meeting, granting a 7¢ per-access-line surcharge to fund telecommunication device for the deaf (TDD) services, extending construction compliance deadlines for Brightline West grade-separated crossings, and accepting a Southwest Gas stipulation that changes tariff block design and related reporting requirements.

The commission voted unanimously to grant the application from the Department of Health and Human Services, Aging and Disability Services Division to approve a state fiscal year 2026 TDD surcharge set at 7¢ per access line. Hearing materials presented to the commission said the surcharge level was calculated based on the governor’s recommended budget for state fiscal year 2026. Commissioner Cordova moved to grant the application “as modified by the draft order,” and Commissioner Brown seconded the motion; the commission voiced unanimous approval.

The TDD surcharge provides funding the Aging and Disability Services Division requested to support telecommunication devices for deaf and hard-of-hearing residents; the staff recommendation and the draft order were the basis for the action.

The commission also approved motions from Brightline West — filed under multiple dockets — to extend compliance deadlines for required notices of commencement of construction on specified grade-separated crossings in Clark County. Hearing Officer Craino summarized that the applications (filed in March 2021) had been granted in May 2021 with compliance items that required notification within two years. The commission previously extended those deadlines in May 2023 to May 2025; Brightline West asked in March for a further two-year extension to May 2027. Chair Haley Williamson moved to grant the motions and issue the proposed orders; Commissioner Cordova seconded and the commission approved the extensions.

The dockets affected include applications to construct grade-separated crossings at locations including Prim Boulevard/I‑15 northbound, Goodsprings Road, Sloan Road, St. Rose Parkway interchange locations and crossings at Star Avenue, Silverado Ranch Boulevard and Blue Diamond Road in Clark County. The hearing officer noted staff recommended granting the requested extensions; the commission’s action implemented that recommendation. The orders themselves include the extended compliance timelines rather than alterations to the original construction authorizations.

On a separate utility matter, the commission accepted a corrected stipulation in a Southwest Gas Corporation filing to continue regulatory asset treatment for costs associated with its Move to 0 program. Hearing Officer Craino said the corrected stipulation (filed May 5, 2025) indicated Southwest Gas had satisfied terms of a prior stipulation approved in an earlier final order and requested approval of proposed tariff sheets. The tariff updates change the block design to increase the equivalent therms from 10 therms to 20 therms of combustion-related greenhouse gas emissions from natural gas usage, and the stipulation contains directives on record-keeping and reporting. Chair Williamson moved to accept the stipulation and grant the application; Commissioner Brown seconded and the commission approved the stipulation and the related tariff sheets.

The meeting also included routine approvals: the commission approved the meeting minutes presented by the Assistant Commission Secretary, accepted recommendations from the Office of General Counsel (item 4a), and approved two regulatory operations staff items (5A and 5B). Each of those items was moved, seconded and adopted without substantive discussion.

Public comment periods at the start and end of the meeting produced no speakers in either Carson City or Las Vegas. The commission adjourned after the final items were voted on.