[Rev. 5/25/2022 11:38:10 AM]

 

[NAC-704B Revised Date: 6-12]

CHAPTER 704B - PROVIDERS OF NEW ELECTRIC RESOURCES

GENERAL PROVISIONS

704B.010        Definitions.

704B.020      “Ancillary services” defined.

704B.024      “Application” defined.

704B.028      “Bureau of Consumer Protection” defined.

704B.034      “Capacity” defined.

704B.040      “Commission” defined.

704B.044      “Date of commencement” defined.

704B.050      “Electric utility” defined.

704B.060      “Electric utility that primarily serves densely populated counties” defined.

704B.080      “Eligible customer” defined.

704B.090      “Energy” defined.

704B.094      “Existing eligible customer” defined.

704B.098      “FERC” defined.

704B.100      “Impact fee” defined.

704B.104      “Letter of intent” defined.

704B.110      “New electric resource” defined.

704B.116      “OATT” defined.

704B.130      “Provider of new electric resources” and “provider” defined.

704B.136      “Regulatory Operations Staff” defined.

704B.138      “Ten-percent contract” and “10-percent contract” defined.

704B.140      “Time-of-use meter” defined.

704B.145      “Underlying contract” defined.

704B.170        Effect of chapter on certain existing contracts.

704B.175 Deviation from provisions of chapter.

TRANSACTIONS WITH ELIGIBLE CUSTOMERS

704B.300        Criteria for determining whether end-use customer has average annual load of 1 megawatt or more; each service location of certain entities treated as separate end-use customer.

704B.310        Application for approval of proposed transaction: General requirements; single application by multiple eligible customers; parties to proceedings.

704B.320        Letter of intent to file application: General requirements; contents; limitations on use of certain information by electric utility.

704B.330        Letter of intent to file application: Meetings and discussions; duty to provide and update certain data and information.

704B.340        Contents of application; protective orders; confidentiality.

704B.350        Analysis of proposed underlying contract; meetings and discussions; duty to provide and update certain data and information; methodology used by Regulatory Operations Staff.

704B.360        Additional analysis of 10-percent contract; meetings and discussions; determination of best interest by Commission; consequences of determination.

704B.370        Duty to file and serve certain agreements; limited review and use of certain underlying contracts; confidentiality; terms, conditions and compliance items; petition to reopen consideration of application; limitations on actions of Commission after approval of application.

704B.380        Proposed transaction between eligible customer and provider which relies exclusively on new electric resources currently in operation.

704B.385        Proposed transaction between eligible customer and provider which relies on new electric resources that will be constructed after application granted by Commission.

704B.400        Payment by eligible customer of load-share portion of unrecovered balance in deferred accounts of electric utility; refund of excessive amount.

704B.405        Approval of certain proposed transactions to purchase energy, capacity or ancillary services from alternative provider.

704B.410        Criteria for determining whether proposed transaction will be contrary to public interest.

PORTFOLIO STANDARD

704B.500        Compliance with applicable requirements.

 

GENERAL PROVISIONS

      NAC 704B.010  Definitions. (NRS 704B.200)  As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires, the words and terms defined in NAC 704B.020 to 704B.145, inclusive, have the meanings ascribed to them in those sections.

     (Added to NAC by Pub. Utilities Comm’n by R125-01, eff. 12-17-2001; A by R018-04, 11-17-2005)

      NAC 704B.020  “Ancillary services” defined. (NRS 704B.200)  “Ancillary services” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 704B.020.

     (Added to NAC by Pub. Utilities Comm’n by R125-01, eff. 12-17-2001)

      NAC 704B.024  “Application” defined. (NRS 704B.200)  “Application” means an application filed pursuant to this chapter and chapter 704B of NRS for approval from the Commission to purchase energy, capacity or ancillary services from a provider of new electric resources.

     (Added to NAC by Pub. Utilities Comm’n by R125-01, eff. 12-17-2001)

      NAC 704B.028  “Bureau of Consumer Protection” defined. (NRS 704B.200)  “Bureau of Consumer Protection” means the Bureau of Consumer Protection in the Office of the Attorney General.

     (Added to NAC by Pub. Utilities Comm’n by R125-01, eff. 12-17-2001)

      NAC 704B.034  “Capacity” defined. (NRS 704B.200)  “Capacity” means the rated continuous load-carrying ability, expressed in megawatts, of generation equipment.

     (Added to NAC by Pub. Utilities Comm’n by R018-04, eff. 11-17-2005)

      NAC 704B.040  “Commission” defined. (NRS 704B.200)  “Commission” means the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada.

     (Added to NAC by Pub. Utilities Comm’n by R125-01, eff. 12-17-2001)

      NAC 704B.044  “Date of commencement” defined. (NRS 704B.200)  “Date of commencement” means the date on which an eligible customer begins or intends to begin purchasing energy, capacity or ancillary services from a provider of new electric resources pursuant to a proposed transaction.

     (Added to NAC by Pub. Utilities Comm’n by R125-01, eff. 12-17-2001)

      NAC 704B.050  “Electric utility” defined. (NRS 704B.200)  “Electric utility” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 704B.050.

     (Added to NAC by Pub. Utilities Comm’n by R125-01, eff. 12-17-2001)

      NAC 704B.060  “Electric utility that primarily serves densely populated counties” defined. (NRS 704B.200)  “Electric utility that primarily serves densely populated counties” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 704B.060.

     (Added to NAC by Pub. Utilities Comm’n by R125-01, eff. 12-17-2001)

      NAC 704B.080  “Eligible customer” defined. (NRS 704B.200)  “Eligible customer” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 704B.080.

     (Added to NAC by Pub. Utilities Comm’n by R125-01, eff. 12-17-2001)

      NAC 704B.090  “Energy” defined. (NRS 704B.200)  “Energy” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 704B.090.

     (Added to NAC by Pub. Utilities Comm’n by R125-01, eff. 12-17-2001)

      NAC 704B.094  “Existing eligible customer” defined. (NRS 704B.200)  “Existing eligible customer” means an eligible customer in the service territory of an electric utility that is purchasing energy, capacity or ancillary services from the electric utility or a provider of new electric resources.

     (Added to NAC by Pub. Utilities Comm’n by R125-01, eff. 12-17-2001)

      NAC 704B.098  “FERC” defined. (NRS 704B.200)  “FERC” means the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission of the United States Department of Energy.

     (Added to NAC by Pub. Utilities Comm’n by R125-01, eff. 12-17-2001)

      NAC 704B.100  “Impact fee” defined. (NRS 704B.200)  “Impact fee” means an amount assessed by the Commission against an eligible customer pursuant to subsection 7 of NRS 704B.310, but does not include any payment required by subparagraph (2) of paragraph (b) of subsection 7 of NRS 704B.310.

     (Added to NAC by Pub. Utilities Comm’n by R018-04, eff. 11-17-2005)

      NAC 704B.104  “Letter of intent” defined. (NRS 704B.200)  “Letter of intent” means a letter of intent that an eligible customer submits pursuant to NAC 704B.320.

     (Added to NAC by Pub. Utilities Comm’n by R125-01, eff. 12-17-2001)

      NAC 704B.110  “New electric resource” defined. (NRS 704B.200)  “New electric resource” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 704B.110.

     (Added to NAC by Pub. Utilities Comm’n by R125-01, eff. 12-17-2001)

      NAC 704B.116  “OATT” defined. (NRS 704B.200)  “OATT” means the open access transmission tariff of an electric utility that is on file with FERC.

     (Added to NAC by Pub. Utilities Comm’n by R125-01, eff. 12-17-2001)

      NAC 704B.130  “Provider of new electric resources” and “provider” defined. (NRS 704B.200)  “Provider of new electric resources” and “provider” have the meaning ascribed to them in NRS 704B.130.

     (Added to NAC by Pub. Utilities Comm’n by R125-01, eff. 12-17-2001)

      NAC 704B.136  “Regulatory Operations Staff” defined. (NRS 704B.200)  “Regulatory Operations Staff” means the Regulatory Operations Staff of the Commission.

     (Added to NAC by Pub. Utilities Comm’n by R125-01, eff. 12-17-2001)

      NAC 704B.138  “Ten-percent contract” and “10-percent contract” defined. (NRS 704B.200)  “Ten-percent contract” or “10-percent contract” means the contract required to be offered to an electric utility pursuant to subsection 2 of NRS 704B.320.

     (Added to NAC by Pub. Utilities Comm’n by R018-04, eff. 11-17-2005)

      NAC 704B.140  “Time-of-use meter” defined. (NRS 704B.200)  “Time-of-use meter” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 704B.140.

     (Added to NAC by Pub. Utilities Comm’n by R125-01, eff. 12-17-2001)

      NAC 704B.145  “Underlying contract” defined. (NRS 704B.200)  “Underlying contract” means a contract or proposed contract between an eligible customer and a provider of new electric resources that is the subject of an application filed pursuant to NRS 704B.310.

     (Added to NAC by Pub. Utilities Comm’n by R018-04, eff. 11-17-2005)

      NAC 704B.170  Effect of chapter on certain existing contracts. (NRS 704B.170, 704B.200)  The provisions of this chapter do not alter in any manner the terms and conditions of any existing contract between an eligible customer and an electric utility.

     (Added to NAC by Pub. Utilities Comm’n by R125-01, eff. 12-17-2001)

      NAC 704B.175  Deviation from provisions of chapter. (NRS 704B.200)  The Commission may allow deviation from the provisions of this chapter if:

     1.  Good cause for the deviation appears; and

     2.  The Commission finds the deviation to be in the public interest and not contrary to statute.

     (Added to NAC by Pub. Utilities Comm’n by R018-04, eff. 11-17-2005)

TRANSACTIONS WITH ELIGIBLE CUSTOMERS

      NAC 704B.300  Criteria for determining whether end-use customer has average annual load of 1 megawatt or more; each service location of certain entities treated as separate end-use customer. (NRS 704B.200)

     1.  If an end-use customer is a new end-use customer or has been an end-use customer for less than 12 months in the service territory of an electric utility, the Commission will consider the end-use customer to have an average annual load of 1 megawatt or more in the service territory of the electric utility only if the Commission determines the end-use customer will consume, during the 12 months immediately following the date of commencement, 8,760,000 kilowatt-hours or more of energy in the service territory of the electric utility.

     2.  For all other end-use customers in the service territory of the electric utility, the Commission will consider the end-use customer to have an average annual load of 1 megawatt or more in the service territory of the electric utility only if the end-use customer has consumed, during the most recent 12-month period, 8,760,000 kilowatt-hours or more of energy in the service territory of an electric utility.

     3.  The Commission will treat each service location of a nongovernmental commercial or industrial entity as a separate end-use customer.

     4.  As used in this section, “service location” means:

     (a) A single point of delivery;

     (b) Multiple points of delivery on contiguous property; or

     (c) Multiple points of delivery that, as of the date on which the application is filed, have been treated as a single service location by the electric utility.

     (Added to NAC by Pub. Utilities Comm’n by R125-01, eff. 12-17-2001)

      NAC 704B.310  Application for approval of proposed transaction: General requirements; single application by multiple eligible customers; parties to proceedings. (NRS 704B.200, 704B.310)

     1.  An eligible customer may not file an application unless the eligible customer complies with all applicable provisions of this chapter and chapter 704B of NRS.

     2.  Multiple eligible customers within a single service territory may file a single application. If such an application is filed, each eligible customer named as an applicant must comply with all applicable provisions of this chapter and chapter 704B of NRS.

     3.  If an application is filed:

     (a) Each eligible customer named as an applicant, each provider named in the application, the electric utility and the Bureau of Consumer Protection shall be deemed to have a direct and substantial interest in the proceedings on the application; and

     (b) No other person or entity shall be presumed to have a direct and substantial interest in the proceedings on the application.

     (Added to NAC by Pub. Utilities Comm’n by R125-01, eff. 12-17-2001; A by R018-04, 11-17-2005)

      NAC 704B.320  Letter of intent to file application: General requirements; contents; limitations on use of certain information by electric utility. (NRS 704B.200)

     1.  Not later than 30 calendar days before the date on which an eligible customer files an application, the eligible customer shall submit a letter of intent to file the application to:

     (a) The electric utility that is serving the eligible customer;

     (b) The Regulatory Operations Staff; and

     (c) The Bureau of Consumer Protection.

     2.  The letter of intent submitted pursuant to this section must include the following information:

     (a) The name of the eligible customer, the address and other contact information for the eligible customer, and information demonstrating that the applicant is an eligible customer.

     (b) The name of the provider, the address and other contact information for the provider, and information demonstrating that the provider will provide energy, capacity or ancillary services from one or more identifiable new electric resources, including the location of the new electric resource or identification of the market for the new electric resource. If the provider intends to build a new electric resource, the letter of intent must also include a description of the proposed new facility and of how the total electricity requirements of the eligible customer will be met.

     (c) Each point of delivery at which the eligible customer intends to purchase energy from the provider and, for each such point of delivery:

          (1) The physical location of the point of delivery; and

          (2) The current account number for the point of delivery, the name on each such account and the current billing address and final billing address for each such account.

     (d) A description of the proposed transaction in the executed underlying contract between the provider and the eligible customer or, if no executed underlying contract exists when the letter of intent is submitted, a description of the terms that the eligible customer reasonably expects to be included in an executed underlying contract between the eligible customer and the provider for the purchase of energy, capacity or ancillary services from the provider. The description must include:

          (1) The date of commencement and the duration of the proposed transaction;

          (2) The amount of energy, capacity and ancillary services, if any, to be purchased by the eligible customer;

          (3) The identity of any scheduling coordinator as required by the OATT of the electric utility to be used by the eligible customer in scheduling the delivery of energy to the eligible customer and written confirmation from the scheduling coordinator;

          (4) The point or points of receipt;

          (5) The maximum number of megawatts or megawatt-hours to be delivered under the proposed transaction and any load forecasts developed to determine the maximum number of megawatts or megawatt-hours to be delivered under the proposed transaction;

          (6) Information regarding the nature of the product being purchased, including, without limitation, information regarding whether the energy or capacity is firm;

          (7) Information regarding termination provisions and notice provisions; and

          (8) Information regarding load ramps, both increases and decreases, over the term of the proposed transaction.

     (e) Information specifying which ancillary services will be taken from which entities.

     (f) Information indicating whether the new electric resources will be delivered from within or outside of the control area of the electric utility.

     3.  In addition to the information required by subsection 2, if an eligible customer is a governmental entity, the eligible customer shall include with the letter of intent information sufficient to establish that:

     (a) The eligible customer is a governmental entity; and

     (b) The facilities and other locations that will be served by the provider are operated by the eligible customer under a common budget and common control.

     4.  The electric utility may use information regarding submission of the letter of intent, information included with the letter of intent or information otherwise provided in connection with a proposed transaction governed by this chapter only for the performance of analyses required by this chapter, and the electric utility shall not use such information when conducting its sales or marketing activities. An electric utility shall adhere to the written standards, policies and procedures filed by the electric utility with the Commission to ensure compliance with this subsection.

     (Added to NAC by Pub. Utilities Comm’n by R125-01, eff. 12-17-2001; A by R122-02, 10-24-2002; R018-04, 11-17-2005)

      NAC 704B.330  Letter of intent to file application: Meetings and discussions; duty to provide and update certain data and information. (NRS 704B.200)

     1.  Approximately 15 calendar days before the date on which an eligible customer files an application, the eligible customer, the electric utility and the Regulatory Operations Staff shall meet, in person or telephonically, to discuss the information included with the letter of intent and to identify any issues of concern with respect to the proposed transaction. Not later than 5 working days before the date of the meeting, the Bureau of Consumer Protection must be notified of the meeting, and the Bureau of Consumer Protection may participate fully in the meeting.

     2.  The provisions of this section do not preclude the eligible customer, the electric utility, the Regulatory Operations Staff or the Bureau of Consumer Protection from meeting or conferring as often as they deem necessary to accomplish the objectives of this section.

     3.  The Regulatory Operations Staff shall identify any additional data and information that it will need from the electric utility and the eligible customer to carry out the provisions of this section and the format that the electric utility and the eligible customer must use to provide and update the data and information. The electric utility and the eligible customer shall provide and update the data and information in such manner and at such times as the Regulatory Operations Staff may request.

     (Added to NAC by Pub. Utilities Comm’n by R125-01, eff. 12-17-2001)

      NAC 704B.340  Contents of application; protective orders; confidentiality. (NRS 704B.200, 704B.310, 704B.320)

     1.  If an eligible customer files an application, the eligible customer shall include with the application all the information that the eligible customer included with the letter of intent and all the following items:

     (a) Information demonstrating that the eligible customer or the provider has the ability to enter into all transmission service agreements necessary for the provider to deliver energy to the distribution system of the electric utility, and the proposed rates, terms and conditions of each such agreement. The eligible customer shall be deemed to have met the requirements of this subsection if:

          (1) The eligible customer or the provider demonstrates that transmission service agreements with the electric utility will not be necessary for the provider to deliver energy to the distribution system of the electric utility; or

          (2) The eligible customer demonstrates that it is an eligible customer under the OATT of the electric utility and the eligible customer agrees, to the extent applicable, to pay all costs for system impact studies, costs for construction and other costs required under the OATT of the electric utility to obtain the necessary transmission service.

     (b) Information demonstrating that all energy delivered to the eligible customer will be metered through one or more time-of-use meters for each point of delivery.

     (c) Any applicable system impact studies or facilities studies completed for the transmission service request.

     (d) Any information required to update or complete the information the eligible customer included with the letter of intent.

     (e) Any other information deemed necessary by the Regulatory Operations Staff and requested in writing.

     (f) If the eligible customer is a nongovernmental commercial or industrial end-use customer whose load is in the service territory of an electric utility that primarily serves densely populated counties:

          (1) Information demonstrating that the eligible customer has obtained the 10-percent contract in accordance with subsection 2 of NRS 704B.320;

          (2) A binding offer, in the form of a separate contract, to assign the 10-percent contract to the electric utility; and

          (3) All the information reasonably foreseen to be necessary to enable the Regulatory Operations Staff or any party of record to perform an analysis of the 10-percent contract.

     2.  The eligible customer may request from the Commission a protective order to protect the confidentiality of any information the eligible customer believes to be commercially sensitive. The Commission will determine whether the requested information is commercially sensitive under Nevada law and requires confidential treatment. If the Commission determines that the information is commercially sensitive, the Commission:

     (a) Will grant a protective order at least with respect to all information concerning the price of the energy, capacity and ancillary services to be purchased by the eligible customer.

     (b) Will grant a protective order with respect to all information concerning the price of the energy, capacity and ancillary services associated with the 10-percent contract offered by the eligible customer pursuant to subsection 2 of NRS 704B.320.

     (c) Will not grant a protective order with respect to the information described in paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection 2 of NAC 704B.320.

     3.  If information is protected by a protective order, the Regulatory Operations Staff, the Bureau of Consumer Protection, the electric utility and any intervener authorized by the Commission to participate in the matter pursuant to NAC 703.578 to 703.600, inclusive, may have access to such information upon execution of a confidentiality agreement and subject to the terms of the protective order and the confidentiality agreement. Information protected by a protective order must not be disclosed on the public record or otherwise in any proceeding governed by this chapter, except as provided in the protective order.

     (Added to NAC by Pub. Utilities Comm’n by R125-01, eff. 12-17-2001; A by R122-02, 10-24-2002; R018-04, 11-17-2005)

      NAC 704B.350  Analysis of proposed underlying contract; meetings and discussions; duty to provide and update certain data and information; methodology used by Regulatory Operations Staff. (NRS 704B.200)

     1.  Not later than 45 calendar days after the date on which the eligible customer files an application, the Regulatory Operations Staff shall:

     (a) Perform its initial analysis of the proposed underlying contract to estimate the potential impacts of the proposed underlying contract on the electric utility and its remaining customers; and

     (b) Release the results of its initial analysis to the eligible customer, the provider, the electric utility and the Bureau of Consumer Protection.

     2.  Not later than 55 calendar days after the date on which the eligible customer files an application, the Regulatory Operations Staff, the eligible customer and the electric utility shall meet, in person or telephonically, at least once to discuss the results of the initial analysis performed by the Regulatory Operations Staff and, if necessary, to exchange information, including, without limitation, the exchange of any suggested additions, modifications or deletions to the initial analysis performed by the Regulatory Operations Staff. The Bureau of Consumer Protection and the provider must be notified of each such meeting, and each may participate fully in each such meeting and in any exchange of information.

     3.  Not later than 65 calendar days after the date on which the eligible customer files an application, the Regulatory Operations Staff shall:

     (a) Finalize its analysis of the proposed underlying contract. In finalizing its analysis, the Regulatory Operations Staff shall incorporate any information obtained from the eligible customer, the provider, the electric utility and the Bureau of Consumer Protection that the Regulatory Operations Staff determines will most accurately estimate the potential impacts of the proposed underlying contract.

     (b) Release the results of its finalized analysis to the eligible customer, the provider, the electric utility and the Bureau of Consumer Protection.

     (c) Submit its finalized analysis to the Commission.

     4.  Not later than 80 calendar days after the date on which the eligible customer files an application, any party of record may file with the Commission an alternative analysis to the analysis performed by the Regulatory Operations Staff. Each alternative analysis must:

     (a) Identify the bases for concluding that the analysis performed by the Regulatory Operations Staff is deficient; and

     (b) Include objective information demonstrating that the methodology used by the party is valid under the range of circumstances included in the alternative analysis performed by the party.

     5.  The provisions of this section do not preclude the Regulatory Operations Staff, the eligible customer, the provider, the electric utility or the Bureau of Consumer Protection from meeting or conferring as often as they deem necessary to accomplish the objectives of this section.

     6.  The Regulatory Operations Staff shall identify the data and information that it will need from the electric utility and the eligible customer to carry out the provisions of this section and the format that the electric utility and the eligible customer must use to provide and update the data and information. The electric utility and the eligible customer shall provide and update the data and information in such manner and at such times as the Regulatory Operations Staff may request.

     7.  The Regulatory Operations Staff shall provide the Commission and other interested parties with a detailed description of the methodology that it will use to estimate the potential impacts of the proposed underlying contract on the electric utility and its remaining customers. The description must include, without limitation:

     (a) The methodology for analyzing net costs or benefits to the electric utility and its remaining customers and for ensuring that there are no net negative impacts to the electric utility and its remaining customers. The description must identify the commercial model or algorithm for the methodology and must contain a narrative description of that commercial model or algorithm.

     (b) The assumptions to be used with the methodology, including, without limitation, the time frame for analyzing net costs or benefits to the electric utility and its remaining customers and the categories of costs to be used with the methodology.

     (c) The sources of information to be used with each category of costs identified in paragraph (b), including, without limitation, sources of information regarding:

          (1) Capacity and energy, including energy from renewable resources;

          (2) Transmission;

          (3) Distribution; and

          (4) Natural gas commodity and capacity.

     (d) Other external inputs necessary for the operation of the commercial model or algorithm identified in paragraph (a).

     (e) Any data and information obtained from the electric utility, including any updated data and information.

     8.  The Regulatory Operations Staff shall provide the Commission and other interested parties with a detailed description of the information that must accompany any request by a third party to perform an independent analysis of the potential impacts of the proposed underlying contract on the electric utility and its remaining customers. The description must include, without limitation, the cost, if any, to perform such an independent analysis.

     (Added to NAC by Pub. Utilities Comm’n by R125-01, eff. 12-17-2001; A by R018-04, 11-17-2005)

      NAC 704B.360  Additional analysis of 10-percent contract; meetings and discussions; determination of best interest by Commission; consequences of determination. (NRS 704B.200, 704B.320)

     1.  In addition to the requirements of NAC 704B.350, if the eligible customer is a nongovernmental commercial or industrial end-use customer whose load is in the service territory of an electric utility that primarily serves densely populated counties, not later than 15 calendar days after the date on which the eligible customer files a completed and fully executed underlying contract between the eligible customer and provider, the Regulatory Operations Staff shall:

     (a) Perform its initial analysis of the 10-percent contract identified in the application pursuant to paragraph (f) of subsection 1 of NAC 704B.340. In its initial analysis, the Regulatory Operations Staff shall indicate whether the 10-percent contract will be beneficial or detrimental to the remaining customers of the electric utility and shall include a recommendation regarding whether the 10-percent contract should be assigned to the electric utility.

     (b) Provide its initial analysis to the eligible customer, the provider, the Bureau of Consumer Protection and the electric utility.

     2.  Not later than 20 calendar days after the date on which the eligible customer files the completed and fully executed underlying contract, the Regulatory Operations Staff, the eligible customer and the electric utility shall meet, in person or telephonically, at least once to discuss the results of the initial analysis on the 10-percent contract performed by the Regulatory Operations Staff and, if necessary, to exchange information, including, without limitation, the exchange of any suggested additions, modifications or deletions to the initial analysis performed by the Regulatory Operations Staff. The Bureau of Consumer Protection and the provider must be notified of each such meeting, and each may participate fully in each such meeting and in any exchange of information.

     3.  Not later than 30 calendar days after the date on which the eligible customer files the completed and fully executed underlying contract, the Regulatory Operations Staff shall:

     (a) Finalize its analysis of the 10-percent contract identified in the application. In finalizing its analysis, the Regulatory Operations Staff shall incorporate any information obtained from the eligible customer, the provider, the electric utility and the Bureau of Consumer Protection that the Regulatory Operations Staff determines will most accurately indicate whether the 10-percent contract will be beneficial or detrimental to the remaining customers of the electric utility.

     (b) Release the results of its finalized analysis to the eligible customer, the provider, the electric utility and the Bureau of Consumer Protection.

     (c) Submit its finalized analysis to the Commission.

     4.  Not later than 40 calendar days after the date on which the eligible customer files the completed and fully executed underlying contract, the electric utility, Bureau of Consumer Protection, eligible customer or provider may file with the Commission an alternative analysis to the analysis performed by the Regulatory Operations Staff. Each alternative analysis must:

     (a) Identify the bases for concluding that the analysis performed by the Regulatory Operations Staff is deficient; and

     (b) Include objective information demonstrating that the methodology used by the party is valid under the range of circumstances included in the alternative analysis performed by the party.

     5.  After evaluating the analysis performed by the Regulatory Operations Staff and any alternative analysis filed pursuant to subsection 4, the Commission will determine whether it is in the best interest of the remaining customers of the electric utility to have the eligible customer assign the 10-percent contract to the electric utility.

     6.  If the Commission determines that it is in the best interest of the remaining customers of the electric utility to have the eligible customer assign the 10-percent contract to the electric utility:

     (a) The eligible customer shall assign the 10-percent contract to the electric utility.

     (b) The electric utility shall accept the assignment and, upon the effective date of the 10-percent contract, include the 10-percent contract in its portfolio to supply its remaining customers. The 10-percent contract:

          (1) Shall be deemed to be prudent;

          (2) Is not subject to the provisions of NAC 704.9005 to 704.9525, inclusive, for the purposes of including the 10-percent contract as an option for supply; and

          (3) Is not an amendment to the action plan of the electric utility for the purposes of NAC 704.9503, and the electric utility shall not apply for permission to amend its action plan pursuant to that section with regard to the 10-percent contract.

     (c) In its subsequent filing for recovery of the cost of the 10-percent contract, the electric utility shall, to the extent possible, assign the cost of the 10-percent contract to those classes of customers who are not eligible for choice pursuant to this chapter, with the preference to be given to residential customers.

     7.  If the Commission determines that it is not in the best interest of the remaining customers of the electric utility to have the eligible customer assign the 10-percent contract to the electric utility, the eligible customer is entitled to the 10-percent contract.

     (Added to NAC by Pub. Utilities Comm’n by R125-01, eff. 12-17-2001; A by R004-04, 5-25-2004; R018-04, 11-17-2005)

      NAC 704B.370  Duty to file and serve certain agreements; limited review and use of certain underlying contracts; confidentiality; terms, conditions and compliance items; petition to reopen consideration of application; limitations on actions of Commission after approval of application. (NRS 704B.200)

     1.  Except as otherwise provided in this section, not later than 40 calendar days after the date on which the eligible customer files an application, the eligible customer shall file with the Commission the following agreements:

     (a) A completed and fully executed distribution service agreement between the eligible customer and the electric utility. The distribution service agreement must include, without limitation:

          (1) A list of each point of delivery at which the eligible customer intends to purchase energy from the provider and, for each such point of delivery:

               (I) The physical location of the point of delivery; and

               (II) The current account number for the point of delivery, the name on each such account and the current billing address and final billing address for each such account; and

          (2) A detailed plan for the avoidance of involuntary curtailments of energy or capacity to the remaining retail customers of the electric utility in the event that:

               (I) The eligible customer is unable to secure supply for 100 percent of its load;

               (II) The eligible customer is no longer being served by operating reserves; and

               (III) The electric utility in good faith determines that it is unable to provide replacement resources to the eligible customer without negatively impacting system reliability.

Ê The detailed plan may include provisions for standby service, load shedding, recourse to reliably available market resources and any other measures or combination of measures reasonably designed to avoid involuntary load curtailments by the electric utility.

     (b) A completed and fully executed transmission service agreement and operating agreement with the electric utility meeting all requirements of its OATT.

     2.  If the eligible customer does not file the agreements pursuant to subsection 1 and the Commission approves the application, the Commission will condition its order approving the application on the filing of the agreements with the Commission.

     3.  Each agreement filed with the Commission pursuant to subsection 1 or 2 must be served on each party of record.

     4.  If the Commission approves an application of an eligible customer which is not subject to subsection 2 of NRS 704B.320 and the eligible customer has not submitted a copy of a completed and fully executed underlying contract between the eligible customer and the provider for the purchase of energy, capacity or ancillary services from the provider, the Commission will condition its order approving the application on submission to the Regulatory Operations Staff of one copy of such a completed and fully executed underlying contract between the eligible customer and the provider. Upon receipt of the underlying contract, the Regulatory Operations Staff shall:

     (a) Review the underlying contract to verify that the terms of the underlying contract are the same as the terms that the eligible customer provided to the Regulatory Operations Staff when the Regulatory Operations Staff performed its final analysis of the proposed transaction; and

     (b) Inform the Commission and each party of record whether the terms are the same or whether the terms differ. If the terms differ, the Commission will issue an order identifying the terms that differ and providing the eligible customer with an opportunity to resolve the differences. If the eligible customer fails to resolve the differences within 7 days, the application shall be deemed to be rescinded.

Ê An underlying contract that is submitted to the Regulatory Operations Staff pursuant to this subsection shall be deemed to be submitted for verification purposes only and must not be included as part of the record of the case. The contents of the underlying contract shall be deemed to be commercially sensitive and must not be disclosed on the public record or otherwise in any proceeding governed by this chapter. The Regulatory Operations Staff shall protect the confidentiality of the underlying contract and shall not disclose the contents of the underlying contract to any person or entity, unless authorized by the Commission.

     5.  If the Commission approves the application of an eligible customer which is subject to subsection 2 of NRS 704B.320 and the eligible customer has not submitted a copy of a completed and fully executed underlying contact between the eligible customer and the provider for the purchase of energy, capacity or ancillary services from the provider, the Commission will condition its order approving the application on submission of a copy of the completed and fully executed underlying contract to the Commission, the Regulatory Operations Staff, the Bureau of Consumer Protection and the electric utility. Upon receipt of the underlying contract, the Regulatory Operations Staff shall:

     (a) Review the underlying contract to verify that the terms of the underlying contract are the same as the terms that the eligible customer provided to the Regulatory Operations Staff when the Regulatory Operations Staff performed its final analysis of the proposed transaction; and

     (b) Inform the Commission and each party of record whether the terms are the same or whether the terms differ. If the terms differ, the Commission will issue an order identifying the terms that differ and providing the eligible customer with an opportunity to resolve the differences. If the eligible customer fails to resolve the differences within 7 days, the application shall be deemed to be rescinded.

Ê Except for the review process performed by the Regulatory Operations Staff pursuant to this subsection to verify the terms of the underlying contract, the underlying contract may be used only to evaluate the 10-percent contract required pursuant to NRS 704B.320 and is subject to any protective order issued pursuant to paragraph (b) of subsection 2 of NAC 704B.340.

     6.  In addition to the terms, conditions and compliance items required by subsections 2, 4 and 5, the Commission may condition its order approving an application with any other terms, conditions and compliance items it deems necessary to ensure that the proposed transaction is not contrary to the public interest.

     7.  The Commission will provide in each order approving an application that the eligible customer must comply with all terms, conditions and compliance items imposed pursuant to this section not later than 120 calendar days after the date on which the Commission issues the order.

     8.  A party of record may petition the Commission to reopen consideration of an application. A party of record must file such a petition not later than 15 calendar days after the date on which the Commission determines that the eligible customer has complied with all terms, conditions and compliance items imposed pursuant to this section.

     9.  Except upon a petition to reopen consideration of an application that is filed by a party of record pursuant to this section and except as otherwise provided in this section and NRS 704B.360, or as may be needed to address any objections raised pursuant to NAC 704B.405, the Commission will not, after it issues an order approving an application:

     (a) Rescind or amend its approval of the application; or

     (b) Add to or modify the terms, conditions and compliance items set forth in the order approving the application.

     (Added to NAC by Pub. Utilities Comm’n by R125-01, eff. 12-17-2001; A by R018-04, 11-17-2005)

      NAC 704B.380  Proposed transaction between eligible customer and provider which relies exclusively on new electric resources currently in operation. (NRS 704B.200)

     1.  If a proposed transaction between an eligible customer and a provider relies exclusively on new electric resources currently in operation:

     (a) Not later than 20 calendar days after the date on which the Commission determines that the eligible customer has complied with all terms, conditions and compliance items imposed pursuant to NAC 704B.370, the eligible customer shall notify the electric utility and the Commission in writing as to whether the eligible customer intends to proceed with the proposed transaction and, if so, the date of commencement.

     (b) The date of commencement must not be sooner than:

          (1) Sixty calendar days after the date on which the eligible customer notifies the electric utility pursuant to this subsection; and

          (2) One hundred eighty calendar days after the date on which the eligible customer files the application,

Ê unless the Commission authorizes an earlier date of commencement.

     2.  If the eligible customer notifies the electric utility and the Commission in writing that the eligible customer intends to proceed with the proposed transaction not later than 30 days after the Commission issues a compliance order approving the application of the eligible customer, the impact fee approved by the Commission will not be updated or adjusted unless the actual date of commencement occurs before the estimated date of commencement.

     3.  If the eligible customer notifies the electric utility and the Commission in writing pursuant to subsection 2, or reconfirms to the electric utility and the Commission in writing pursuant to subsection 5, that the eligible customer intends to proceed with the proposed transaction:

     (a) The electric utility:

          (1) May plan to discontinue procuring for the eligible customer the energy, capacity and ancillary services that the eligible customer will be purchasing from the provider pursuant to the proposed transaction; and

          (2) Shall install or implement, or cause to be installed or implemented, all systems, operations, equipment and other modifications necessary to accommodate the proposed transaction.

     (b) Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, not later than 15 calendar days after the date on which the eligible customer files its estimated date of commencement pursuant to subsection 1, the Regulatory Operations Staff shall update its calculation of the impact fee that will be assessed by the Commission against the eligible customer. The updated calculation must:

          (1) Be based on the estimated date of commencement; and

          (2) Have sufficient detail so that if the actual date of commencement occurs before the estimated date of commencement, the impact fee can be adjusted accordingly.

     4.  Upon completion of the updated calculation of the impact fee required by paragraph (b) of subsection 3, the Regulatory Operations Staff shall provide the eligible customer with an analysis of the updated calculation and, on that date, shall provide a copy of the analysis to the provider, the electric utility, the Bureau of Consumer Protection, the Commission and all other parties of record. The analysis must include a listing of the major assumptions used and a listing of any inputs that were changed from the original analysis that served as the basis for the determination by the Commission that the assessment of the impact fee was necessary so that the proposed transaction would not be contrary to the public interest. A party of record may file an objection with the Commission to the analysis of the updated calculation of the impact fee not later than 15 calendar days after the Regulatory Operations Staff provides that analysis to the party of record pursuant to this subsection. The objection must identify the basis for concluding that the analysis was deficient, including, without limitation, an identification of each contested assumption and input.

     5.  Not later than 30 calendar days after receiving a copy of the analysis of the updated calculation of the impact fee pursuant to subsection 4, the eligible customer shall:

     (a) If no objections to the updated calculation of the impact fee are filed pursuant to subsection 4:

          (1) Reconfirm to the Commission, electric utility and parties of record in writing that the eligible customer intends to proceed with the proposed transaction; or

          (2) Inform the Commission, electric utility and parties of record in writing that the eligible customer will not proceed with the proposed transaction.

     (b) If objections to the updated calculation of the impact fee are filed pursuant to subsection 4:

          (1) Reconfirm to the Commission, electric utility and parties of record in writing that the eligible customer intends to proceed with the proposed transaction;

          (2) Inform the Commission, electric utility and parties of record in writing that the eligible customer will not proceed with the proposed transaction; or

          (3) Inform the Commission, electric utility and parties of record in writing that the eligible customer will defer the decision of whether to proceed with the proposed transaction until the Commission issues its decision on the objections. Not later than 30 calendar days after the date on which the Commission issues its decision on the objections, the eligible customer shall:

               (I) Reconfirm to the Commission, electric utility and parties of record in writing that the eligible customer intends to proceed with the proposed transaction; or

               (II) Inform the Commission, eligible customer and parties of record in writing that the eligible customer will not proceed with the proposed transaction.

     6.  If the actual date of commencement occurs after the date of commencement provided to the electric utility in the final notice of intent to proceed pursuant to this section, the electric utility may require the eligible customer, or the eligible customer may elect, to begin taking electric service under the provisions of the incremental pricing tariff of the electric utility.

     7.  Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection 1 of this section and subsection 8 of NAC 704B.370, if the Commission determines that all terms, conditions and compliance items imposed pursuant to NAC 704B.370 have been satisfied more than 120 calendar days after the date on which the Commission issues its order approving the application, the Commission may adjust the period in which the eligible customer must notify the utility of its intent to proceed with the proposed transaction and the date of commencement.

     (Added to NAC by Pub. Utilities Comm’n by R125-01, eff. 12-17-2001; A by R018-04, 11-17-2005)

      NAC 704B.385  Proposed transaction between eligible customer and provider which relies on new electric resources that will be constructed after application granted by Commission. (NRS 704B.200)

     1.  If a proposed transaction between an eligible customer and a provider relies on new electric resources that will be constructed after the Commission has issued its order granting the application:

     (a) The Commission will establish reasonable time intervals by which:

          (1) The eligible customer must file, and the electric utility must process, documents required to determine if the eligible customer is in compliance with all the terms, conditions and compliance items imposed pursuant to NAC 704B.370; and

          (2) The Regulatory Operations Staff must review and verify whether the eligible customer has complied with the order issued by the Commission.

     (b) Not later than 20 calendar days after the date on which the Commission determines that the eligible customer has complied with all the terms, conditions and compliance items imposed pursuant to NAC 704B.370, the eligible customer shall notify the electric utility and the Commission in writing as to whether the eligible customer intends to proceed with the proposed transaction and, if so, the estimated date of commencement.

     2.  If the eligible customer notifies the electric utility and the Commission pursuant to subsection 3, or reconfirms to the electric utility and the Commission pursuant to subsection 6, that the eligible customer intends to proceed with the proposed transaction, the electric utility:

     (a) May plan to discontinue procuring for the eligible customer the energy, capacity and ancillary services that the eligible customer will be purchasing from the provider pursuant to the proposed transaction; and

     (b) Shall install or implement, or cause to be installed or implemented, all systems, operations, equipment and other modifications necessary to accommodate the proposed transaction.

     3.  If the eligible customer notifies the electric utility and the Commission in writing that the eligible customer intends to proceed with the proposed transaction not later than 50 days after the Commission issues a compliance order approving the application of the eligible customer, the impact fee approved by the Commission will not be updated or adjusted unless the actual date of commencement occurs before the estimated date of commencement.

     4.  Except as otherwise provided in subsection 3, not later than 15 calendar days after the date on which the eligible customer notifies the electric utility and the Commission of its estimated date of commencement pursuant to paragraph (b) of subsection 1, the Regulatory Operations Staff shall update its calculation of the impact fee that will be assessed by the Commission against the eligible customer. The updated calculation must:

     (a) Be based on the estimated date of commencement; and

     (b) Have sufficient detail so that if the actual date of commencement occurs before the estimated date of commencement, the impact fee can be adjusted accordingly.

     5.  Upon completion of the updated calculation of the impact fee required by subsection 4, the Regulatory Operations Staff shall provide the eligible customer with an analysis of the updated calculation and, on that date, shall provide a copy of the analysis to the provider, the electric utility, the Bureau of Consumer Protection, the Commission and all other parties of record. The analysis must include a listing of the major assumptions used and a listing of any inputs that were changed from the original analysis that served as the basis for the determination by the Commission that the assessment of the impact fee was necessary so that the proposed transaction would not be contrary to the public interest. A party of record may file with the Commission an objection to the analysis of the updated calculation of the impact fee not later than 15 calendar days after the Regulatory Operations Staff provides that analysis to the party of record pursuant to this subsection. The objection must identify the basis for concluding that the analysis was deficient, including, without limitation, the identification of each contested assumption and input.

     6.  Not later than 30 calendar days after receiving a copy of the analysis of the updated calculation of the impact fee pursuant to subsection 5, the eligible customer shall:

     (a) If no objections to the updated calculation of the impact fee are filed pursuant to subsection 5:

          (1) Reconfirm to the Commission, electric utility and parties of record in writing that the eligible customer intends to proceed with the proposed transaction; or

          (2) Inform the Commission, electric utility and parties of record in writing that the eligible customer will not proceed with the proposed transaction.

     (b) If objections to the updated calculation of the impact fee are filed pursuant to subsection 5:

          (1) Reconfirm to the Commission, electric utility and parties of record in writing that the eligible customer intends to proceed with the proposed transaction;

          (2) Inform the Commission, electric utility and parties of record in writing that the eligible customer will not proceed with the proposed transaction; or

          (3) Inform the Commission, electric utility and parties of record in writing that the eligible customer will defer the decision of whether to proceed with the proposed transaction until the Commission issues its decision on the objections. Not later than 30 calendar days after the date on which the Commission issues its decision on the objections, the eligible customer shall:

               (I) Reconfirm to the Commission, electric utility and parties of record in writing that the eligible customer intends to proceed with the proposed transaction; or

               (II) Inform the Commission, electric utility and parties of record in writing that the eligible customer will not proceed with the proposed transaction.

     7.  An eligible customer must comply with all terms, conditions and compliance items imposed pursuant to NAC 704B.370 not later than 70 days before the estimated date of commencement. Upon the request of the eligible customer, the Commission may approve a revised estimated date of commencement.

     8.  If, as of the estimated date of commencement:

     (a) The eligible customer is not capable of receiving energy, capacity or ancillary services from the provider of new electric resources pursuant to the proposed transaction; and

     (b) The eligible customer is otherwise eligible to take electric service under the electric utility’s incremental pricing tariff for the electric utility,

Ê the electric utility may require the eligible customer, or the eligible customer may elect, to take electric service under the incremental pricing tariff of the electric utility until the actual date of commencement.

     (Added to NAC by Pub. Utilities Comm’n by R018-04, eff. 11-17-2005)

      NAC 704B.400  Payment by eligible customer of load-share portion of unrecovered balance in deferred accounts of electric utility; refund of excessive amount. (NRS 704B.200, 704B.310)

     1.  If the Commission approves an application, the Commission will order the eligible customer to pay its actual load-share portion of any unrecovered positive balance in the deferred accounts of the electric utility existing as of the date of commencement. The amount to be paid by the eligible customer must be calculated by the electric utility and approved by the Commission.

     2.  Not later than 7 calendar days after receiving notification pursuant to subsection 1 of NAC 704B.380 or subsection 1 of NAC 704B.385 that the eligible customer intends to proceed with the proposed transaction, the electric utility shall provide the eligible customer and the Commission with:

     (a) An estimate of the amount to be paid by or refunded to the eligible customer based upon estimates by the electric utility of the load-share portion of the eligible customer and of the balances that will be in the deferred accounts of the electric utility as of the date of commencement; and

     (b) All supporting data and calculations.

     3.  The estimated amount that is calculated pursuant to subsection 2 must be paid by or refunded to the eligible customer, as appropriate, in a manner agreed to by the eligible customer and the electric utility. Except as otherwise provided in the underlying contract between the eligible customer and the electric utility, the payments or refunds must be made in monthly installments for the remainder of the deferral period.

     4.  After the estimated amount is calculated pursuant to subsection 2, the electric utility, in its most immediately following application to clear its deferred accounts pursuant to NRS 704.110, shall establish the actual amount that should have been paid by or refunded to the eligible customer. After the actual amount has been established by the electric utility and approved by the Commission with any necessary adjustments, the difference between the estimated amount and the actual amount must be paid by or refunded to the eligible customer, as appropriate.

     5.  As used in this section, “actual load-share portion” means the proportion determined from the ratio of the annual energy load of the eligible customer (numerator) to the total annual retail energy load of the electric utility (denominator).

     (Added to NAC by Pub. Utilities Comm’n by R125-01, eff. 12-17-2001; A by R018-04, 11-17-2005)

      NAC 704B.405  Approval of certain proposed transactions to purchase energy, capacity or ancillary services from alternative provider. (NRS 704B.200, 704B.325)

     1.  If an eligible customer that is purchasing energy, capacity or ancillary services from a provider intends to purchase the energy, capacity or ancillary services from an alternative provider pursuant to a proposed transaction in which the terms or conditions, other than price, do not conform with the terms and conditions originally approved by the Commission with respect to the eligible customer, the eligible customer shall submit its proposed transaction with the alternative provider to the Commission for approval pursuant to the provisions of this section.

     2.  To obtain approval of a proposed transaction between an eligible customer and alternative provider described in subsection 1, the eligible customer must give to the Commission and each party of record to the docketed matter in which the eligible customer’s underlying contract was approved, notice of the eligible customer’s intention to purchase energy, capacity or ancillary services from the alternative provider. The notice must:

     (a) Be in writing;

     (b) Contain the information relating to the supply of energy, capacity or ancillary services required for an application pursuant to NAC 704B.340; and

     (c) Clearly identify each term and condition that the eligible customer believes does not conform to the terms and conditions of the underlying contract originally approved by the Commission.

     3.  In addition to the notice required by subsection 2, the eligible customer shall provide to the Regulatory Operations Staff a copy of the underlying contract previously approved by the Commission pursuant to which the eligible customer was purchasing energy, capacity or ancillary services from a provider of new electric resources and a copy of the contract for the proposed transaction between the eligible customer and the alternative provider. Contracts that are submitted to the Regulatory Operations Staff pursuant to this subsection are deemed to be submitted for verification purposes only, and will not be considered to be part of any public record. The Regulatory Operations Staff shall protect the confidentiality of such contracts and shall not disclose the contents of those contracts to any person or entity, unless authorized by the Commission.

     4.  An eligible customer may request from the Commission a protective order to protect the confidentiality of any information relating to the proposed transaction between the eligible customer and the alternative provider that the eligible customer believes to be commercially sensitive. The Commission will determine whether the requested information is commercially sensitive and requires confidential treatment under Nevada law.

     5.  Within 12 working days after receiving notice pursuant to subsection 2:

     (a) A party of record may file any objection to the proposed transaction with the Commission and forward a copy of the objection to the eligible customer, alternative provider and all other parties of record. Such an objection must clearly describe the basis for the objection.

     (b) The Regulatory Operations Staff shall:

          (1) If the Regulatory Operations Staff objects to the proposed transaction, notify the Commission, eligible customer, alternative provider and the parties of record of its objection and identify the terms and conditions of the proposed transaction that the Regulatory Operations Staff believes do not conform with the terms and conditions of the underlying contract; or

          (2) If the Regulatory Operations Staff does not object to the proposed transaction, the Regulatory Operations Staff shall notify the Commission, eligible customer, alternative provider and all other parties of record of that fact.

     6.  The Commission will process the notice on an expedited basis. If no objections are timely filed pursuant to subsection 5, the proposed transaction shall be deemed to be approved by the Commission. If any party or the Regulatory Operations Staff files an objection to the proposed transaction, the Commission will set the matter for a hearing to be held within 15 working days after the last date on which objections may be filed. The eligible customer shall file any response to the objection within 4 working days after receiving the objection. The Commission will approve the proposed transaction unless the Commission determines that the proposed transaction is inconsistent with the requirements of this chapter and chapter 704B of NRS regarding the terms and conditions of transactions between eligible customers and providers of new electric resources. If the Commission makes such a determination, the Commission will identify the inconsistent terms and provide the eligible customer with an opportunity to revise the terms of the proposed transaction to resolve the inconsistencies. If the eligible customer fails to resolve the inconsistencies, the Commission may prohibit the proposed transaction.

     7.  If applicable, the analysis of the 10-percent contract must be performed pursuant to NAC 704B.360, except that the Commission will process the analysis on an expedited basis commencing upon the approval by the Commission of the proposed transaction between the eligible customer and the alternative provider. A 10-percent contract must be submitted to the Commission for review upon the replacement or amendment of every underlying contract.

     8.  Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter to the contrary, the Regulatory Operations Staff may use the underlying contract between an eligible customer and provider to evaluate an application for a proposed transaction between the eligible customer and alternative provider filed by the eligible customer pursuant to this section.

     (Added to NAC by Pub. Utilities Comm’n by R018-04, eff. 11-17-2005)

      NAC 704B.410  Criteria for determining whether proposed transaction will be contrary to public interest. (NRS 704B.200, 704B.310)  In determining whether a proposed transaction for an existing eligible customer will be contrary to the public interest:

     1.  The Commission will base its determination on the criteria set forth in subsections 5 and 6 of NRS 704B.310. To approve the application, the Commission must determine that the proposed transaction does not subject the electric utility or its remaining customers to increased costs as a result of the proposed transaction.

     2.  In addition to the criteria set forth in subsection 1, the Commission may consider, without limitation, and give due weight to:

     (a) The potential impacts of the proposed transaction on the electric utility and its remaining customers as set forth in the analysis performed by the Regulatory Operations Staff pursuant to NAC 704B.350.

     (b) The potential impacts of the proposed transaction on the electric utility and its remaining customers as set forth in any alternative analysis filed by a party of record pursuant to NAC 704B.350.

     (c) The potential impacts of the proposed transaction on the electric utility and its remaining customers which are of a qualitative nature or of a quantitative nature and which were not included in the analysis performed by the Regulatory Operations Staff pursuant to NAC 704B.350.

     (d) The opportunity or ability of the electric utility to mitigate costs that would otherwise be assigned to its remaining customers, provided that any such mitigation must not alter, diminish or otherwise affect any rights or obligations arising under any contract which requires the electric utility to purchase energy, capacity or ancillary services from another party and which was in existence on July 17, 2001.

     (e) The extent to which the proposed transaction increases or decreases existing subsidies to the remaining customers of the electric utility in the same rate class or in other rate classes.

     (f) Factors that affect system reliability of the electric utility, including, without limitation, whether approval of the application will result in:

          (1) Construction of additional generation, transmission or distribution assets without cost to the remaining customers of the electric utility;

          (2) Location of generation assets where they may improve or degrade system reliability; and

          (3) Availability of generation assets which may be dispatched by the electric utility or which may be capable of providing ancillary services such as regulation.

     (g) Factors that affect the general welfare of the residents and communities of this State, including, without limitation, employment, economic development and the quality of life.

     (Added to NAC by Pub. Utilities Comm’n by R125-01, eff. 12-17-2001)

PORTFOLIO STANDARD

      NAC 704B.500  Compliance with applicable requirements. (NRS 703.025, 704.210, 704.7828, 704B.200)  In meeting a portfolio standard established pursuant to NRS 704.78213, a provider of new electric resources shall comply with any applicable requirements regarding portfolio standards, including, without limitation, any applicable requirements pursuant to NRS 704.7801 to 704.7828, inclusive, and NAC 704.8831 to 704.8899, inclusive, and 704.8901 to 704.8937, inclusive.

     (Added to NAC by Pub. Utilities Comm’n by R198-09, eff. 1-13-2011)