Power company appeals required rate reduction

"If anything else, it shows how a monopoly that does not face competition can spend money on litigation unnecessarily," said Fred Schmidt, state consumer advocate.

But Nevada Power spokesman Tom Henley said the appeal is well-founded.

For six years, Schmidt's office has claimed that Nevada Power misappropriated ratepayers' money that was invested in coal properties in Utah. Nevada Power has denied the charges.

Schmidt said he will support the Public Service Commission in fighting Nevada Power's appeal of the one-time rate reduction.

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