S.B. 269
Senate Bill No. 269–Senators Neal and Schneider
March 2, 2001
____________
Joint Sponsors: Assemblymen Arberry and Williams
____________
Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor
SUMMARY—Repeals provisions pertaining to competitive provision of retail electric and natural gas service. (BDR 58‑162)
FISCAL NOTE: Effect on Local Government: No.
~
EXPLANATION
– Matter in bolded italics is new; matter
between brackets [omitted material] is material to be omitted.
Green numbers along left margin indicate location on the printed bill (e.g., 5-15 indicates page 5, line 15).
AN ACT relating to utilities; repealing provisions pertaining to the competitive provision of retail electric and natural gas service; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
Whereas, The State of California opened its markets to the competitive provision of retail electric service on March 31, 1998; and
Whereas, San Diego Gas & Electric became the first utility in the State of California to provide competitive retail electric service; and
Whereas, During the summer of 2000, many customers of San Diego Gas & Electric experienced more than a 200 percent increase in the cost of electricity, as reflected in their monthly power bills; and
Whereas, Also during the summer and fall of 2000, Pacific Gas & Electric Corporation and Southern California Edison experienced large increases in wholesale electricity prices and, unable to raise rates because of a price freeze, both utilities accumulated deficits in earnings equivalent to nearly two-thirds of their total net worth; and
Whereas, These deficits have prompted credit rating agencies to lower the debt ratings of Pacific Gas & Electric Corporation and Southern California Edison and have raised concerns about the solvency of these utilities; and
Whereas, The tremendous rise in the cost of electricity in California demonstrates the manner in which insufficient local generation and transmission capacity in certain areas of the country, combined with unpredictable wholesale prices, may frustrate the ability of retail electric customers to benefit from the lower costs that were supposed to result from the market efficiencies derived from deregulation; and
Whereas, In a retail electric market that is regulated by the state, utility generation plants remain subject to the jurisdiction of a state authority and, therefore, can be required to sell their power output locally at just and reasonable rates; and
Whereas, If generation plants are divested and operated by wholesale electric producers, the plants are subject to federal jurisdiction, and the Commerce Clause of the United States Constitution prohibits the State of Nevada from restricting the export of electric power generated by those plants to other states; and
Whereas, A shortage in the supply of electric generation currently exists in the western United States, which has caused wholesale electric generators in many instances to transmit power from the areas where the power is produced to distant electric customers in order to obtain the highest price; and
Whereas, In a competitive market, Nevada electric customers will have to compete with customers throughout the western United States for electricity, including electricity generated by plants located in this state; and
Whereas, In the fall of 2000, electric customers in California were narrowly able to avoid mandated interruptions in power, commonly known as rolling blackouts, only as a result of intervention by federal authorities who invoked powers under federal law to require wholesale electric generators to sell electricity to supply the California market; and
Whereas, Some of the architects and ardent proponents of the deregulation of the electric industry in California, along with consumer representatives and at least one utility, are now demanding the reinstatement of regulation of that state’s electric industry; and
Whereas, Proponents of the deregulation of retail electric service in the State of Nevada cannot provide reliable assurances that customers of retail electric service in this state will not be faced with large rate increases or interruptions in electric service once deregulation commences; now, therefore,
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, REPRESENTED IN
SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
1-1 Section 1. NRS 703.010 is hereby amended to read as follows:
1-2 703.010 As used in this chapter, unless the context
otherwise
requires[:
1-3 1. “Alternative seller” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 704.967.
1-4 2. “Commission”] , “commission” means the public utilities
1-5 commission of Nevada.
1-6 Sec. 2. NRS 703.025 is hereby amended to read as follows:
1-7 703.025 1. The commission, by majority vote, shall organize the
1-8 commission into sections, alter the organization of the commission and
1-9 reassign responsibilities and duties of the sections of the commission as the
1-10 commission deems necessary to provide:
2-1 (a) Advice and guidance to the commission on economic policies
2-2 relating to utilities under the jurisdiction of the commission, and the
2-3 regulation of such utilities;
2-4 (b) Administrative, technical, legal and support services to the
2-5 commission; and
2-6 (c) For the regulation of utilities governed by the commission and the
2-7 services offered by such utilities, including, but not limited to, licensing of
2-8 such utilities and services and the resolution of consumer complaints.
2-9 2. The commission shall:
2-10 (a) Formulate the policies of the various sections of the commission;
2-11 (b) Coordinate the activities of the various sections of the commission;
2-12 and
2-13 (c) [Take such actions consistent with law as are necessary to encourage
2-14 and enhance:
2-15 (1) A competitive market for the provision of utility services to
2-16 customers in this state; and
2-17 (2) The reliability and safety of the provision of those services within
2-18 that competitive market; and
2-19 (d)] Adopt such regulations consistent with law as the commission
2-20 deems necessary for the operation of the commission and the enforcement
2-21 of all laws administered by the commission.
2-22 3. Before reorganizing the commission, the commission shall submit
2-23 the plan for reorganization to:
2-24 (a) The director of the legislative counsel bureau for transmittal to the
2-25 appropriate legislative committee and the interim finance committee; and
2-26 (b) The director of the department of administration.
2-27 Sec. 3. NRS 703.168 is hereby amended to read as follows:
2-28 703.168 The commission may, in carrying out its duties:
2-29 1. Cooperate with the Federal Government, its departments and
2-30 agencies.
2-31 2. Confer with the regulatory agencies of other states on matters of
2-32 mutual concern and benefit to persons served by the public utilities [and
2-33 alternative sellers] of this state.
2-34 3. Use the services, records, facilities and cooperation of federal and
2-35 state regulatory agencies, and hold joint hearings and participate in joint
2-36 conferences to reach decisions in matters which require cooperation. All
2-37 necessary expenses incurred in attending hearings and conferences outside
2-38 this state are a charge against the state, and must be audited and paid as
2-39 other claims against this state are paid. The claims must be sworn to by the
2-40 commissioner who incurred the expense and approved by the chairman.
2-41 Sec. 4. NRS 703.172 is hereby amended to read as follows:
2-42 703.172 1. A division of consumer complaint resolution is hereby
2-43 established within the commission.
2-44 2. Pursuant to regulations adopted by the commission, the division of
2-45 consumer complaint resolution shall:
2-46 (a) Receive and investigate complaints made against any public utility ;
2-47 [or alternative seller;]
2-48 (b) Conduct appropriate investigations of the service practices of utility
2-49 companies ; [or alternative sellers;] and
3-1 (c) Perform such other functions as are required by law or as the
3-2 commission deems appropriate.
3-3 Sec. 5. NRS 703.310 is hereby amended to read as follows:
3-4 703.310 1. When a complaint is made against any public utility [or
3-5 alternative seller] by any person, that any of the rates, tolls, charges or
3-6 schedules for regulated services, or any joint rate or rates are in any respect
3-7 unreasonable or unjustly discriminatory, or any regulation, measurement,
3-8 practice or act affecting or relating to the production, transmission or
3-9 delivery or furnishing of heat, light, gas, coal slurry, water or power, or any
3-10 service in connection therewith or the transmission thereof is, in any
3-11 respect, unreasonable, insufficient or unjustly discriminatory, or that any
3-12 service is inadequate, the division of consumer complaint resolution shall
3-13 investigate the complaint. After receiving the complaint, the division shall
3-14 give a copy of it to the public utility [or alternative seller] against whom
3-15 the complaint is made. Within a reasonable time thereafter, the public
3-16 utility [or alternative seller] shall provide the commission with its written
3-17 response to the complaint according to the regulations of the commission.
3-18 2. If the division of consumer complaint resolution is unable to resolve
3-19 the complaint, the division shall transmit the complaint, the results of its
3-20 investigation and its recommendation to the commission. If the
3-21 commission determines that probable cause exists for the complaint, it
3-22 shall order a hearing thereof, give notice of the hearing and conduct the
3-23 hearing as it would any other hearing.
3-24 3. No order affecting a rate, toll, charge, schedule, regulation,
3-25 measurement, practice or act complained of may be entered without a
3-26 formal hearing unless the hearing is dispensed with as provided in NRS
3-27 703.320.
3-28 Sec. 6. NRS 704.030 is hereby amended to read as follows:
3-29 704.030 “Public utility” or “utility” does not include:
3-30 1. Persons engaged in the production and sale of natural gas, other than
3-31 sales to the public, or engaged in the transmission of natural gas other than
3-32 as a common carrier transmission or distribution line or system.
3-33 2. Persons engaged in the business of furnishing, for compensation,
3-34 water or services for the disposal of sewage, or both, to persons within this
3-35 state if:
3-36 (a) They serve 25 persons or less; and
3-37 (b) Their gross sales for water or services for the disposal of sewage, or
3-38 both, amounted to $5,000 or less during the immediately preceding 12
3-39 months.
3-40 3. Persons not otherwise engaged in the business of furnishing,
3-41 producing or selling water or services for the disposal of sewage, or both,
3-42 but who sell or furnish water or services for the disposal of sewage, or
3-43 both, as an accommodation in an area where water or services for the
3-44 disposal of sewage, or both, are not available from a public utility,
3-45 cooperative corporations and associations or political subdivisions engaged
3-46 in the business of furnishing water or services for the disposal of sewage,
3-47 or both, for compensation, to persons within the political subdivision.
4-1 4. Persons who are engaged in the production and sale of energy,
4-2 including electricity, to public utilities, cities, counties or other entities
4-3 which are reselling the energy to the public.
4-4 5. Persons who are subject to the provisions of NRS 590.465 to
4-5 590.645, inclusive.
4-6 6. Persons who are engaged in the sale or use of special fuel as defined
4-7 in NRS 366.060.
4-8 7. [Persons who are licensed as alternative sellers to provide electric
4-9 services.
4-10 8.] Persons who provide water from water storage, transmission and
4-11 treatment facilities if those facilities are for the storage, transmission or
4-12 treatment of water from mining operations.
4-13 Sec. 7. NRS 704.640 is hereby amended to read as follows:
4-14 704.640 Except as otherwise provided in NRS 704.281 to 704.284,
4-15 inclusive, any person who:
4-16 1. Operates any public utility to which NRS 704.005 to 704.751,
4-17 inclusive, [and 704.993 to 704.999, inclusive,] apply without first obtaining
4-18 a certificate of public convenience and necessity or in violation of its
4-19 terms;
4-20 2. Fails to make any return or report required by NRS 704.005 to
4-21 704.751, inclusive, [and 704.993 to 704.999, inclusive,] or by the
4-22 commission pursuant to NRS 704.005 to 704.751, inclusive ; [, and
4-23 704.993 to 704.999, inclusive;]
4-24 3. Violates, or procures, aids or abets the violating of any provision of
4-25 NRS 704.005 to 704.751, inclusive ; [, and 704.993 to 704.999, inclusive;]
4-26 4. Fails to obey any order, decision or regulation of the commission;
4-27 5. Procures, aids or abets any person in his failure to obey the order,
4-28 decision or regulation; or
4-29 6. Advertises, solicits, proffers bids or
otherwise holds himself out
to perform as a public utility in violation of any of the provisions
of NRS 704.005 to 704.751, inclusive, [and 704.993
to 704.999,
inclusive,]
4-30 shall be fined not more than $500.
4-31 Sec. 8. NRS 704.989 is hereby amended to read as follows:
4-32 704.989 1. The commission shall establish portfolio standards for
4-33 domestic energy that sets forth the minimum percentage of the total
4-34 electricity sold during each calendar year that must be derived from
4-35 renewable energy resources. The portfolio standards must:
4-36 (a) Be set at two-tenths of [one] 1 percent of the total amount of
4-37 electricity annually consumed by customers in this state as of January 1,
4-38 2001.
4-39 (b) Be increased biannually thereafter by two-tenths of [one] 1 percent
4-40 of the total annual electric consumption by the customers until the standard
4-41 reaches a total of 1 percent of the total amount of electricity consumed.
4-42 (c) Be derived from not less than 50 percent renewable energy
4-43 resources.
4-44 (d) Be derived from not less than 50 percent solar renewable energy
4-45 systems.
4-46 (e) Be based on renewable energy credits, if applicable.
5-1 2. Each [vertically integrated electric utility and alternative seller]
5-2 public utility that provides electric service to retail customers in this state
5-3 shall comply with the portfolio standard established by the commission
5-4 pursuant to this section. At the end of each calendar year, each [vertically
5-5 integrated] such electric utility [and alternative seller] shall submit a
5-6 report, in a format approved by the commission, of the quantity of
5-7 renewable energy and credits, if applicable, that the utility [or alternative
5-8 seller] generated, purchased, sold and traded to meet the standards of the
5-9 portfolio.
5-10 3. In establishing the portfolio pursuant to this section, the commission
5-11 may establish a system of credits pursuant to which an electric utility [and
5-12 alternative seller] may comply with the provisions of this section. A system
5-13 of credits must provide that:
5-14 (a) Credits are issued for renewable energy resources for each kilowatt
5-15 hour of energy which it produces; and
5-16 (b) Holders of credits may trade or sell the credits to other parties.
5-17 4. For the purposes of this section, [a vertically integrated] an electric
5-18 utility which, on January 1, 1997, has 9 percent of its electricity consumed
5-19 by its customers served by renewable energy resources shall be deemed to
5-20 be in compliance until January 1, 2005, with the portfolio standards
5-21 established by the commission pursuant to this section. Between January 1,
5-22 2005, and December 31, 2009, such [a vertically integrated] an electric
5-23 utility [and its affiliated alternative seller, if any,] shall reach a total of one-
5-24 half of 1 percent of the amount of electricity consumed by its customers, in
5-25 annual increments of one-tenth of 1 percent, in solar energy resources for
5-26 full compliance with the portfolio standard established by the commission
5-27 pursuant to this section.
5-28 5. The electric utility [and alternative seller] shall submit a report to
5-29 the commission that provides information relating to the compliance by the
5-30 [vertically integrated] electric utility [or alternative seller] with the
5-31 requirements of this section. Such reports must be made at least annually,
5-32 unless the commission by regulation determines that such reports must be
5-33 made more frequently than annually, and must include clear and concise
5-34 information that sets forth:
5-35 (a) If the [vertically integrated] electric utility installed a renewable
5-36 energy system during the period for which the report is being made, the
5-37 date of installation;
5-38 (b) The capacity of renewable energy systems of the [vertically
5-39 integrated] electric utility ; [or alternative seller;]
5-40 (c) The amount of production of energy from the renewable energy
5-41 systems;
5-42 (d) The portion of the production of energy that is directly derived from
5-43 renewable energy resources;
5-44 (e) The quantity of energy from renewable energy systems that is
5-45 transmitted or distributed, or both, to customers in this state by the
5-46 [vertically integrated] electric utility ; [or alternative seller;] and
5-47 (f) Such other information that the commission by regulation may deem
5-48 relevant.
6-1 6. [Nothing in this section applies] The provisions of this section do
6-2 not apply to:
6-3 (a) Rural electric cooperatives established pursuant to chapter 81 of
6-4 NRS;
6-5 (b) General improvement districts established pursuant to chapter 318
6-6 of NRS; or
6-7 (c) Utilities established pursuant to chapter 709 or 710 of NRS.
6-8 7. As used in this section:
6-9 (a) “Renewable energy resources” means wind, solar, geothermal and
6-10 biomass energy resources in this state that are naturally regenerated.
6-11 (b) “Renewable energy system” means an energy system in this state
6-12 that utilizes renewable energy resources to produce electricity or solar
6-13 thermal energy systems that reduce the consumption of electricity that was
6-14 installed and commenced operations after July 1, 1997.
6-15 Sec. 9. NRS 538.181 is hereby amended to read as follows:
6-16 538.181 1. The commission shall hold and administer all rights and
6-17 benefits pertaining to the distribution of the power and water mentioned in
6-18 NRS 538.041 to 538.251, inclusive, for the State of Nevada[,] and, except
6-19 as otherwise provided in NRS 538.186, may enter into contracts relating to
6-20 that power and water, including the transmission and other distribution
6-21 services, on such terms as the commission determines.
6-22 2. Every applicant, except a federal or state agency or political
6-23 subdivision, for power or water to be used within the State of Nevada must,
6-24 before the application is approved, provide an indemnifying bond by a
6-25 corporation qualified pursuant to the laws of this state, or other collateral,
6-26 approved by the state board of examiners, payable to the State of Nevada in
6-27 such sum and in such manner as the commission may require, conditioned
6-28 for the full and faithful performance of the lease, sublease, contract or other
6-29 agreement.
6-30 3. The power and water must not be sold for less than the actual cost to
6-31 the State of Nevada.
6-32 4. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 5, before any such sale
6-33 or lease is made, a notice of it must be advertised in two papers of general
6-34 circulation published in the State of Nevada at least once a week for 2
6-35 weeks. The commission shall require any person desiring to make
6-36 objection thereto to file the objection with the commission within 10 days
6-37 after the date of the last publication of the notice. If any objection is filed,
6-38 the commission shall set a time and place for a hearing of the objection not
6-39 more than 30 days after the date of the last publication of the notice.
6-40 5. The provisions of subsection 4 do not apply to:
6-41 (a) Any contract by the commission to sell supplemental power to a
6-42 holder of a long-term firm contract with the state for power if the
6-43 supplemental power is procured by the commission from a prearranged
6-44 source and is secured by the holder for his own use; or
6-45 (b) Any agreement by the commission to sell short-term or interruptible
6-46 power on short notice for immediate acceptance to a holder of a long-term
6-47 firm contract with the state for power who can take delivery of the short-
6-48 term or interruptible power when it is available.
7-1 6. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2 of NRS 538.251, any
7-2 such lease, sublease, contract or sale of the water or power is not binding
7-3 upon the State of Nevada until ratified and approved by the governor and,
7-4 where required by federal law, until approved by the United States.
7-5 7. The commission shall, upon the expiration of a contract for the sale
7-6 of power which is in effect on July 1, 1993, offer to the purchaser the right
7-7 to renew the contract. If the commission is unable to supply the amount of
7-8 power set forth in the contract because of a shortage of power available for
7-9 sale, it shall reduce, on a pro rata basis, the amount of power it is required
7-10 to sell pursuant to the renewed contract.
7-11 8. [Except as otherwise provided in NRS 704.987, notwithstanding]
7-12 Notwithstanding any provision of chapter 704 of NRS, any purchase of:
7-13 (a) Power or water for distribution or exchange, and any subsequent
7-14 distribution or exchange of power or water by the commission; or
7-15 (b) Water for distribution or exchange, and any subsequent distribution
7-16 or exchange of water by any entity to which or with which the commission
7-17 has contracted the water,
7-18 is not subject to regulation by the public utilities commission of Nevada.
7-19 Sec. 10. 1. NRS 703.151, 704.961, 704.965, 704.966, 704.967,
7-20 704.968, 704.969, 704.970, 704.971, 704.972, 704.973, 704.974, 704.975,
7-21 704.976, 704.977, 704.978, 704.979, 704.980, 704.981, 704.982, 704.9823,
7-22 704.9826, 704.9829, 704.983, 704.984, 704.985, 704.986, 704.9865,
7-23 704.987, 704.988, 704.990, 704.993, 704.994, 704.995, 704.996, 704.997,
7-24 704.998 and 704.999 are hereby repealed.
7-25 2. Sections 335, 336, 337, 338 and 340 of chapter 482, Statutes of
7-26 Nevada 1997, at pages 2021 and 2022, and sections 17, 21, 22, 23, 24 and
7-27 26 of chapter 600, Statutes of Nevada 1999, at pages 3269 and 3272, are
7-28 hereby repealed.
7-29 Sec. 11. Any license issued to an alternative seller pursuant to NRS
7-30 704.977 or 704.998 is void on and after the effective date of this act.
7-31 Sec. 12. The public utilities commission of Nevada shall cease
7-32 requiring public utilities to divest their generation assets and shall take all
7-33 possible actions to reverse any previously required divestiture of
7-34 generation assets by public utilities, including, without limitation,
7-35 requesting the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to reconsider any
7-36 orders adopted by Federal Energy Regulatory Commission that are
7-37 inconsistent with this section.
7-38 Sec. 13. This act becomes effective upon passage and approval.
7-39 LEADLINES OF REPEALED SECTIONS
7-40 703.151 Duties of commission in adopting regulations relating to
7-41 provision of electric service.
8-1 704.961 Commission to provide education and informational
8-2 services regarding issues related to provision of competitive utility
8-3 services.
8-4 704.965 Definitions.
8-5 704.966 “Aggregation service” defined.
8-6 704.967 “Alternative seller” defined.
8-7 704.968 “Customer” defined.
8-8 704.969 “Effective competition” defined.
8-9 704.970 “Electric distribution utility” defined.
8-10 704.971 “Electric service” defined.
8-11 704.972 “Generation service” defined.
8-12 704.973 “Noncompetitive service” defined.
8-13 704.974 “Potentially competitive service” defined.
8-14 704.975 “Vertically integrated electric utility” defined.
8-15 704.976 Date upon which customers may begin obtaining
8-16 potentially competitive services from alternative sellers; exception;
8-17 commission authorized to establish different dates for provision of
8-18 different services; determination of potentially competitive service;
8-19 determination of prices under certain circumstances; regulations;
8-20 date upon which potentially competitive electric service deemed
8-21 competitive; reconsideration of determinations; date upon which
8-22 vertically integrated electric utility is required to provide potentially
8-23 competitive service through affiliate.
8-24 704.977 Licensing of alternative sellers: Requirements;
8-25 regulations; provision of aggregation service.
8-26 704.978 Provision of potentially competitive service by provider of
8-27 noncompetitive service prohibited; exception; certain facilities or
8-28 services of provider of noncompetitive service to be made available to
8-29 alternative sellers on equal and nondiscriminatory basis; use of name
8-30 or logo by affiliate.
8-31 704.979 Markets for electric services: Monitoring by commission;
8-32 investigations; regulations; transmission of evidence of
8-33 anticompetitive or discriminatory conduct to attorney general or
8-34 appropriate federal agency; alternative sellers and affiliates not
8-35 exempt from other applicable statutes; person aggrieved by conduct
8-36 of alternative seller not required to seek relief first from commission.
8-37 704.980 Provision of potentially competitive service by affiliate of
8-38 provider of noncompetitive service: Requirements; regulations;
8-39 provider of noncompetitive service and affiliate subject to applicable
8-40 statutes relating to consumer and antitrust protections.
8-41 704.981 Noncompetitive service: Requirements; regulations.
8-42 704.982 Designation of vertically integrated electric utility or its
8-43 successor electric distribution utility for certain customers; obligation
8-44 to serve; rate to be charged; alternate methods for providing electric
8-45 service; reacquisition of service from designated provider; limitation
8-46 on commission adjusting rates, earnings, rate base or rate of return of
8-47 designated provider.
9-1 704.9823 Commission to establish total rate for components of
9-2 electric service for each class of customers of electric service;
9-3 modification of rates; reduction of total rate; inapplicability of total
9-4 rates to customer of alternative seller.
9-5 704.9826 Authority of designated provider of electric service to
9-6 recover shortfall.
9-7 704.9829 Authority of licensed alternative seller to take over part
9-8 of service provided by designated vertically integrated electric utility;
9-9 offer; auction; bidding; review of bids.
9-10 704.983 Recoverable costs of vertically integrated electric utilities
9-11 and successor electric distribution utilities; procedure adopted by
9-12 commission for recovery from ratepayers; commission required to
9-13 consider minimization of certain federal taxes in determining
9-14 recoverable costs.
9-15 704.984 Adverse effects of competitive service on employees of
9-16 vertically integrated electric utilities; certain costs related to
9-17 employees to be considered in determining recoverable costs.
9-18 704.985 Change in alternative sellers: Procedure; standards;
9-19 educational program.
9-20 704.986 Vertically integrated electric utility to submit plan for
9-21 compliance to commission; commission authorized to exempt
9-22 vertically integrated electric utility or alternative seller from strict
9-23 application of certain provisions of chapter.
9-24 704.9865 Vertically integrated electric utility in existence on
9-25 January 1, 1999, to comply with existing obligations for purchase of
9-26 power; recovery of costs.
9-27 704.987 Colorado River commission: Sale of electricity; provision
9-28 of transmission or distribution service.
9-29 704.988 Availability of electric service: Forecasts of electric
9-30 capacity and energy; establishment of equitable obligations to ensure
9-31 sufficient capacity is available; submission of information to
9-32 commission.
9-33 704.990 Commission to prepare for legislature quarterly report
9-34 assessing developments in electric industry.
9-35 704.993 Definitions.
9-36 704.994 “Alternative seller” defined.
9-37 704.995 “Person” defined.
9-38 704.996 “Potentially competitive service” defined.
9-39 704.997 Alternative plan of regulation for utility that supplies
9-40 natural gas: Requirements; regulations; applicability of statutory
9-41 provisions; use of name or logo by affiliate; sale of service relating to
9-42 supply of natural gas by unlicensed alternative seller unlawful.
9-43 704.998 Licensing of alternative sellers: Requirements;
9-44 regulations; denial, limitation, suspension or revocation.
9-45 704.999 Restoration of service: Conditions; tariffs.
10-1 TEXT OF REPEALED SECTIONS
10-2 Section 335 of chapter 482, Statutes of Nevada 1997:
10-3 Sec. 335. The executive director of the department of taxation
10-4 shall, not later than January 1, 1999, submit to the director of the
10-5 legislative counsel bureau for distribution to the legislature a report
10-6 including, but not limited to:
10-7 1. An analysis of the effect of the tax policies of this state on:
10-8 (a) The potential for effective competition in providing electric
10-9 services to customers; and
10-10 (b) The effect of competition in providing electric services to
10-11 customers on the revenue from taxes and franchise fees of this state
10-12 and local governments.
10-13 2. Recommendations for legislation that would advance the
10-14 purposes of sections 28 to 53, inclusive, of this act and ensure a
10-15 minimal effect on the tax revenue of this state and local governments.
10-16 Section 336 of chapter 482, Statutes of Nevada 1997:
10-17 Sec. 336. In the quarterly report for the first quarter of 1999,
10-18 which must be submitted by the public utilities commission of
10-19 Nevada pursuant to section 53 of this act, the commission shall
10-20 provide a comprehensive evaluation of the development of the
10-21 markets for potentially competitive services since July 1, 1997.
10-22 Section 337 of chapter 482, Statutes of Nevada 1997:
10-23 Sec. 337. The public service commission of Nevada shall adopt
10-24 regulations to carry out the provisions of sections 28 to 53, inclusive,
10-25 of this act not later than July 1, 1999.
10-26 Section 338 of chapter 482, Statutes of Nevada 1997:
10-27 Sec. 338. The public service commission of Nevada shall adopt
10-28 the regulations required by section 54 of this act not later than
10-29 November 1, 1997.
10-30 Section 340 of chapter 482, Statutes of Nevada 1997:
10-31 Sec. 340. The public service commission of Nevada shall, on or
10-32 before:
10-33 1. July 1, 1998, adopt the regulations required by sections 58 to
10-34 63, inclusive, of this act.
10-35 2. February 1, 1999, submit a written report concerning the
10-36 alternative plan of regulation adopted pursuant to sections 58 to 63,
10-37 inclusive of this act, including the names of the public utilities which
10-38 supply natural gas that have elected to operate under the alternative
10-39 plan, to the director of the legislative counsel bureau for transmittal to
10-40 the 70th session of the legislature.
10-41 3. February 1, 2001, submit a written report concerning the
10-42 alternative plan and any recommendations for legislation to the
10-43 director of the legislative counsel bureau for transmittal to the 71st
10-44 session of the legislature.
11-1 Section 17 of chapter 600, Statutes of Nevada 1999:
11-2 Sec. 17. NRS 704.982 is hereby amended to read as follows:
11-3 704.982 1. The commission shall designate [a vertically
11-4 integrated electric utility or its successor] an electric distribution
11-5 utility to provide electric service to customers who are unable to
11-6 obtain electric service from an alternative seller or who fail to select
11-7 an alternative seller. The provider so designated by the commission is
11-8 obligated to provide electric service to the customers. Electric service
11-9 provided by the utility pursuant to this section shall be deemed to be
11-10 a noncompetitive service for which the utility may recover its costs
11-11 pursuant to NRS 704.001 to 704.655, inclusive, 704.701 to 704.751,
11-12 inclusive, and 704.800 to 704.900, inclusive.
11-13 2. [The rate that the designated provider of electric service must
11-14 charge a customer for the provision of electric service pursuant to
11-15 subsection 1 is the total rate established for that class of customer by
11-16 the commission pursuant to section 4 of this act.
11-17 3.] Upon a finding by the commission that the public interest will
11-18 be promoted, the commission may prescribe alternate methods for
11-19 providing electric service to those customers described in subsection
11-20 1. The alternate methods may include, but are not limited to, the
11-21 direct assignment of customers to alternative sellers or other electric
11-22 distribution utilities or a process of competitive bidding for the right
11-23 to provide electric service to the designated customers, including,
11-24 without limitation, an auction conducted pursuant to section 6 of this
11-25 act. [Any alternate methods prescribed by the commission pursuant to
11-26 this subsection may not go into effect before July 1, 2001.
11-27 4.] 3. A customer who has obtained generation, aggregation or
11-28 any other potentially competitive service for at least 30 continuous
11-29 days from an alternative seller [after March 1, 2000, or such other
11-30 date that is determined to be in the public interest by the governor
11-31 pursuant to NRS 704.976,]may reacquire service from the designated
11-32 provider of electric service pursuant to tariffs approved by the
11-33 commission. The commission shall establish minimum terms and
11-34 conditions under which electric service must be provided pursuant to
11-35 this section, including a minimum period during which a customer
11-36 must be obligated to pay for the electric service from the assigned
11-37 provider. The price charged for electric service for a particular group
11-38 of customers must reflect the incremental cost of serving the group.
11-39 [5.] 4. If the designated provider of the electric service pursuant
11-40 to subsection 1is [a vertically integrated] an electric distribution
11-41 utility, the utility shall provide the electric service [on or after July 1,
11-42 2001,] only through an affiliate whose sole business activity is the
11-43 provision of electric service.
11-44 [6. Except upon the application of the designated provider to
11-45 reduce the total rate for any class of customers pursuant to section 4
11-46 of this act, the commission shall not initiate or conduct any
11-47 proceedings to adjust the rates, earnings, rate base or rate of return of
11-48 the designated provider of electric service during the period in which
11-49 the
12-1 provider is providing that service to customers pursuant to this
12-2 section.]
12-3 Section 21 of chapter 600, Statutes of Nevada 1999:
12-4 Sec. 21. On or before March 1, 2000, or such other date that is
12-5 determined to be in the public interest by the governor pursuant to
12-6 NRS 704.976, the commission shall, for the purposes of NRS
12-7 704.986, establish for each class of customers of electric service in
12-8 this state the rate for each component and a total rate for electric
12-9 services for customers based on the cost to provide electric service to
12-10 each class of customers in this state. The total rate established for
12-11 each class of customers pursuant to this section must be the same as
12-12 the total rate for each class of customers that is in effect on June 1,
12-13 1999.
12-14 Section 22 of chapter 600, Statutes of Nevada 1999:
12-15 Sec. 22. On or before March 1, 2000, or such other date that is
12-16 determined to be in the public interest by the governor pursuant to
12-17 NRS 704.976, an alternative seller and a vertically integrated electric
12-18 utility may negotiate and enter into a contract with a customer for the
12-19 provision of electric service, but no such contract is effective before
12-20 March 1, 2000, or such other date that is determined to be in the
12-21 public interest by the governor pursuant to NRS 704.976.
12-22 Section 23 of chapter 600, Statutes of Nevada 1999:
12-23 Sec. 23. This act must not be construed to impair any existing
12-24 rights under contracts with customers in effect on June 1, 1999.
12-25 Section 24 of chapter 600, Statutes of Nevada 1999:
12-26 Sec. 24. This act must not be construed to impair any existing
12-27 rights under any labor agreement to which a vertically integrated
12-28 electric utility or its successor electric distribution utility or an
12-29 affiliate thereof is a party on July 1, 1999.
12-30 Section 26 of chapter 600, Statutes of Nevada 1999:
12-31 Sec. 26. If the pending merger between Sierra Pacific Resources
12-32 and Nevada Power Company, referred to in the records of the Public
12-33 Utilities Commission of Nevada as Docket No. 98-7023, is
12-34 terminated for any reason before the completion of the merger, this
12-35 act expires by limitation on the date on which the pending merger is
12-36 terminated.
12-37 H