Public Utilities Commission of Nevada approves NV Energy—s 2025—2044 integrated resource plan after public objections

The Public Utilities Commission of Nevada voted to approve NV Energy—s 2025—2044 Triennial Integrated Resource Plan and 2025—2027 Energy Supply Plan (docket 24-05041) after brief discussion and unanimous support from the three commissioners present. Chair Williamson moved to accept the draft order and issue the appropriate order for agenda item 2A; the motion carried.

The vote followed a series of public comments at the meeting—s opening period. Several residents urged the commission to deny or delay approval of new gas-fired combustion turbines proposed for the North Valmy site, saying the plants would increase long-term greenhouse-gas emissions and saddle ratepayers with stranded costs. Robert Baston, who said he has been an NV Energy ratepayer for more than 50 years, told the commission, "I really hate to see any money that I have paid or will pay for my electricity go towards building any fossil fuel burning power plant." Climate activist Robin Palmer urged the commission to require NV Energy to study clean alternatives, including next-generation geothermal, and cited the Department of Energy—s commercial pathways for that technology.

Commissioner Cordova commended the draft order and described the plan as a significant investment in Nevada—s energy future, noting ongoing process work in the AB 524 docket and a separate IRP investigation docket. Commissioner Brown said the draft order balanced ratepayer interests with utility needs and flagged Rule 9 as an area for further examination; Brown said she was "prepared to support the order." Chair Williamson thanked staff, parties and participants for their work on the voluminous case and proposed a small wording change in the draft order (adding the word "potentially" to a paragraph to reflect the order—s findings).

Public commenters praised NV Energy—s proposed three solar-plus-storage projects but questioned the necessity of two gas combustion turbines and recommended deployment of battery storage and distributed resources instead. Kathy Fulkerson, a Reno resident, said the turbines— estimated capital cost was about $573,000,000 and warned ratepayers could still pay for plants retired early to meet climate goals. Tony Simmons (who said he would submit separate confidential filings) also signaled possible procedural challenges.

The commission did not adopt additional conditions on the IRP at the meeting beyond the order as presented. The chair—s motion to approve the joint application was seconded; commissioners voted in favor and the motion carried. The order will be issued as approved by the Commission.

The docket number for the approved IRP is 24-05041. The commission noted continuing work on IRP process changes and associated rulemaking (AB 524) and an IRP investigation docket (2307026).