Refund may be coming

The Nevada Public Utilities Commission is considering ordering refunds to customers because NV Energy made more money than allowed under rate regulation.

The utility received $10 million for lost sales compensation, money authorized by the state to compensate the utility for money it loses from energy conservation measures. But the law also says that compensation can't go higher than the amount the utility is authorized to collect as rates.

Any refunds won't come right away. The Nevada Bureau of Consumer Protection filed a petition seeking the refunds on June 17. The utility will reply by July 31 and a hearing with both sides will be held by a hearing officer on Aug. 7. The hearing officer will then make a recommendation to the full PUC.