PUC grants NV Energy request to modify Comstock Meadows–West Tracy transmission order

The Public Utilities Commission of Nevada on a voice vote granted Sierra Pacific Power Company, doing business as NV Energy, a motion to modify a prior commission order on the Comstock Meadows–West Tracy 345 kilovolt transmission project.

Commissioner Rebecca Brown presented the item, saying Sierra filed the original application under the Utility Environmental Protection Act and later asked to change compliance items after further project development and analysis. Brown said Sierra seeks to add a compliance item requiring the utility to obtain special-use permits from Story County for a small portion of the project that lies outside the Tahoe Reno Industrial Center and to remove a requirement that it obtain a Union Pacific Railroad wireline crossing agreement before construction because staff determined such an agreement would not be necessary.

The request stemmed from Sierra’s discovery that five poles more than 75 feet high would need to be built outside the Tahoe Reno Industrial Center boundary, necessitating local permits. Staff stated it did not oppose the motion. Commissioner Brown moved to grant the motion; Chair Haley Williamson seconded. Commissioners Williamson, Brown and Cordova voted aye and the motion carried.

The commission’s action modifies compliance obligations tied to the previously authorized permit; the order directs staff to issue the appropriate amended order reflecting the added Story County permit requirement and the removal of the UPRR crossing agreement requirement. The parties and staff will proceed under the amended compliance schedule in the commission’s issued order.