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Story County will file comments, attend NV Energy consumer sessions on 2026 IRP
Summary
After hearing from outside counsel and advisers, the board directed staff to attend consumer sessions and submit written comments on NV Energy's 2026 integrated resource plan rather than formally intervening; the decision reflects concern for ratepayer protection, flexibility for large users and the allocation of capital risk.
Story County commissioners on June 16 directed county staff to participate in consumer sessions and to submit written comments on NV Energy's 2026 integrated resource plan (IRP), declining to pursue a formal intervention that would require substantial legal and technical resources.
Will Adler of Silver State Government Relations, who briefed the board, said the IRP is a dense, state‑level planning document intended to guide resource decisions over a multi‑year horizon and that local demand growth in the county (including data centers and industrial users) has materially changed the utility's near‑term planning. Adler recommended a written comment from the county noting local facts on the ground and the potential impacts of the proposed resource and cost allocations.
"I do think a letter of comment would be kind of an appropriate position to take," Adler said, adding that county input on demand and local conditions can be informative to the Public Utilities Commission staff reviewing the IRP.
County staff and the county manager said formal intervention is possible but resource‑intensive; Commissioners emphasized priorities including protecting existing ratepayers from being saddled with new developers' costs, preserving flexibility for large energy users, and ensuring any cost‑allocation proposals balance risk appropriately.
Commissioner Mitchell moved that Story County attend consumer sessions and provide written comment to the Nevada Public Utilities Commission on NV Energy's 2026 IRP and the 2027–29 energy supply plan; the motion carried unanimously.
What it means: The county will make an official record of its concerns and observations with the state regulator and will participate in the public process, but it will not (at this time) take on the expense of full legal intervention.
Next steps: County staff will prepare and submit comments and will monitor upcoming filings and consumer sessions; outside advisers offered to assist with drafting and timing.
