The Public Utilities Commission of Nevada on the record adopted proposed temporary regulations to implement Senate Bill 300, the hearing officer told commissioners and recommended with unanimous approval from the bench.

Hearing Officer Crano summarized the rulemaking in docket 19-06008 and said the proposed regulations "effectuate SB 300, which allows electric utilities to apply to the commission for approval of an alternative rate making plan," noting statutory references to "NRS 704-762 sub 1." Crano explained the rules acknowledge that utilities retain discretion over whether to file an alternative rate-making application and that, under the rule set, a utility may accept or reject a plan modified by the Commission during the hearing process (Crano cited the regs’ section 13 and section 15 language). Crano also stated that, to be approved, a proposed plan must be "in the public interest to result in just and reasonable rates and protect customers interests," language the proposed order ties to the statutory standard cited in the transcript.

Chair Haley Williamson moved to accept the hearing officer’s recommendation to adopt the proposed regulations as temporary regulations; the motion was seconded and carried with all commissioners voting "Aye." Commissioner Cordova and Commissioner Brown recorded no objections.

Why it matters: SB 300 creates a framework for utilities to propose alternative rate-making plans that could change how utilities recover costs and invest in resources such as distributed energy and storage. The adopted temporary regulations clarify filing and hearing processes, preserve utility discretion to file or decline participation, and maintain the Commission’s public‑interest standard for approval.

What’s next: The Commission adopted the regulations as temporary rules today; implementation details, compliance items and any final numeric adjustments will be reflected in the formal order that will follow the administrative process.