Public Utilities Commission of Nevada approves NV Energy permit changes, an energy supply agreement and AmeriGas margin rates

The Public Utilities Commission of Nevada on April 29 unanimously approved a series of orders including a modification to NV Energy’s Comstock Meadows–West Tracy transmission project, acceptance of an amended energy supply agreement between NV Energy and Callisto Enterprises, and approval of AmeriGas Propane LP’s margin rates for the preceding fiscal year.

The actions came during a roughly 10-minute session in which commissioners heard brief staff presentations, asked no substantive follow-up questions, and voted 3-0 on each motion.

The commission granted Sierra Pacific Power Company, doing business as NV Energy, a motion to modify a prior order for the Comstock Meadows to West Tracy 345-kilovolt transmission project. Commissioner Brown said, “I’d make a motion the Commission grants Sierra’s motion to modify the order and issue the appropriate order.” The motion—seconded and approved—allows NV Energy to add a compliance item requiring special-use permits in Storey County for a small portion of the project and removes a previously required Union Pacific Railroad wireline crossing agreement after staff and the company concluded such an agreement is not necessary under WEPA, as the crossing does not require government approval. The company reported the change affects five poles over 75 feet high and a 10.14-mile 345 kV transmission line located on private land near the Tahoe Reno Industrial Center.

The commission also approved, by unanimous vote, a stipulation in docket number 20-04614 (filed June 10, 2024) under which Sierra Pacific Power Company and Callisto Enterprises LLC amended an energy supply agreement (ESA). Hearing Officer Crano summarized that the stipulation adopts the commission’s approved base large-customer market-price energy model and updated CTT requirements, requires the amended ESA to itemize the base tariff general rate and base tariff energy rate components, and says Sierra will not seek a regulatory asset or liability for any revenue differential between the ESA start date and Sierra’s next general rate case. The stipulation also requires detailed spreadsheets and testimony in future rate cases to reconcile BTC (base tariff general rate) components and any differences in accounting treatment.

The commission granted AmeriGas Propane LP, doing business as Bi-State Propane, its margin-rate application for the preceding fiscal year. Regulatory staff compared “captive” customers (for whom switching fuel suppliers is not feasible) and “non‑captive” customers, and determined that average margin rates charged to captive customers were lower than those paid by non‑captive customers and lower than the prior year’s approved just-and-reasonable rates owing to decreased fuel costs and lower average markups. Staff recommended approval and the commission adopted that recommendation without further discussion.

The commission also approved without discussion the meeting minutes from April 29, General Counsel’s recommendations for agenda item 4a, and staff recommendations for agenda items 5a, 5b and 5c. No members of the public spoke during the meeting’s two public‑comment periods in Carson City or Las Vegas.

What was decided - Approved: modification to the Comstock Meadows–West Tracy transmission project order (motion granting Sierra’s modification). - Approved: acceptance of the amended energy supply agreement stipulation between Sierra Pacific Power Company (NV Energy) and Callisto Enterprises LLC and issuance of the appropriate order. - Approved: AmeriGas Propane LP (Bi‑State Propane) margin-rate filing for the preceding fiscal year. - Approved: meeting minutes, General Counsel recommendations and regulatory operations staff recommendations for several consent agenda items.

Meeting context and next steps No commissioner requested additional briefing or to pull any items for further consideration. Staff and the hearing officer are to issue the final orders reflecting the votes and the docket filings noted in the meeting record.