Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

PUC refuses to reinstate rebates for LED lights, pool pumps

The Public Utilities Commission of Nevada denied NV Energy’s request Friday to bring back two popular energy efficiency programs in Southern Nevada. One lowered the cost of residential LED lights and another helped cover the cost of energy-efficent pool pumps.

After the commission voted to cut the rebate programs in December to restrain NV Energy’s budget, the utility filed a petition asking the commission revisit its decision.

“Granting reconsideration and authorizing continuation of the pool pumps and residential lighting programs will provide (NV Energy’s) customers with more options and choices that will provide benefits to all customers,” NV Energy said in a filing.

NV Energy had said it would be able to reinstate the programs under the budget the commission approved in December for the utility’s energy efficiency programs.

Nevadans for Clean, Affordable, Reliable Energy supported NV Energy’s request.

The commission denied NV Energy’s argument on the foundation that NV Energy had not met its burden for an appeal before the quasi-judicial panel.

“NV Energy did not offer any allegation that the commission’s decision in discontinuing the two ... programs was unlawful, unreasonable, or based on erroneous conclusions of law or mistaken facts,” the ruling said.

The ruling also said NV Energy did not submit any new information to warrant a change.

Howard Geller, the executive director of the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project, said his organization was disappointed by the decision and predicted it would “hurt the local retailers and contractors that are marketing LED lamps and high-efficiency pool pumps.”

Nevada Rep. Dina Titus also recently noted the popularity of the LED program.

“The residential lighting program is critical for stimulating the purchase of energy-efficient LED light bulbs, and it has proven to be very cost-effective and popular,” she had said in a statement. “Utility program incentives have played and should continue to play an important role in helping my constituents in Southern Nevada invest in new LED technology.”

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