Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Peppermill in Reno latest casino aiming to leave NV Energy

The Peppermill resort in Reno is asking regulators for permission to leave NV Energy and buy electricity from another provider.

The resort, operated by Peppermill Casinos Inc., is the latest casino to ask the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada to leave NV Energy and adds to speculation that several other Reno casinos might take similar action.

A 2001 law allows large energy consumers to purchase power from alternate sources.

Earlier this year, the commission gave three casino operators on the Strip the option to leave NV Energy for a collective fee of more than $125 million. Two companies — MGM Resorts International and Wynn Resorts — plan to exit by October.

If the Peppermill were to exit, it would purchase energy from Minnesota-based Cargill Power Markets, which is active in the West. The company is asking regulators to leave NV Energy by March, according to a filing last week.

In the coming months, the PUC will determine how much the Peppermill would have to pay to leave NV Energy. The fee is meant to protect existing NV Energy ratepayers from bill increases.

The commission could also deny the Peppermill’s application.

Last year, the PUC rejected data company Switch’s bid to leave the utility and purchase electricity on the open market, even if it paid a $27 million fee. Switch filed a lawsuit last week alleging it was treated unfairly in that proceeding.

Switch’s complaint said three Northern Nevada casinos have expressed intent to leave NV Energy.

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