CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) — Early signs indicate Nevada regulators will stick to controversial new rates for solar power customers.
Staff at the Public Utilities Commission filed motions Monday saying opponents' arguments for putting the rates on hold aren't new and are unlikely to prevail. Opponents include the Nevada Bureau of Consumer Protection within the attorney general's office and The Alliance for Solar Choice, an industry group representing rooftop solar businesses.
The commission unanimously approved a rate hike for customers with rooftop solar panels that took effect Jan. 1. Proponents say it corrects a cost-shift that has traditional energy customers subsidizing about 17,000 solar customers.
Rooftop solar company SolarCity says it stopped selling panels in Nevada because of the hike.
Commissioners will meet Jan. 7 and Jan. 13 to consider requests to pause the plan.