The base general electricity rate for Southern Nevada customers will go up by almost 8 percent, less than expected, but will be accompanied by a $2 a month higher service charge, according to numbers released Friday by NV Energy.
The increase approved by the Nevada Public Utilities Commission, which regulates the electric utility, will be largely offset by falling natural gas prices and increased efficiency, the company said.
Customers' bills will go up an average of $4.84 a month, a 3.5 percent net increase compared to October's bills based on average energy use, the company said.
Consumer advocates said the net increase for residents would be about 12 percent, including the monthly service charge.
The increases were approved last week by the state PUC. Since then, NV Energy has been calculating its new base rate that goes into effect on Sunday.
On Friday, the utility announced the effect on rates of the $158.6 million increase in annual revenue approved by the PUC. The base rate will go from $.06709 to $.07231, an increase of 7.8 percent. The monthly service charge will go from $8 to $10.
The PUC’s decision is still subject to appeal. Consumer advocates said that the decision had many consumer-friendly provisions, but an increase was almost inevitable increase was almost inevitable because the approval in 2008 of additional generating capacity.