| Overview: In July 1997, the State
legislature approved a restructuring plan for the electric utility
industry that also set the stage for possible restructuring of the natural gas
industry. In August 1997, the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada opened
Docket No. 97-8002 to examine changes in the natural gas industry and to
formulate pertinent regulations. Since then, regulations have been written
covering affiliate transactions and licensing. In 1999, a provision was
added to the Nevada Administrative Code that allows competitive suppliers
who are serving “generating, industrial or large commercial customers” to
obtain a license as an alternative seller of discretionary services. This
is the only area where competition exists at this time. No significant
actions regarding natural gas restructuring are expected until issues associated
with electric utility deregulation have been resolved. In its 2001
session, the legislature enacted Assembly Bill 369 that repealed
provisions pertaining to competitive retail electric service, citing its
duty to protect consumers, safeguard the economy of the State, and ensure
adequate reliable electricity service at just and reasonable prices.
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| EIA State Data: In 2006,
Nevada
had 726,772 residential and
38,546 commercial customers. They consumed 38 and 28 billion cubic feet of
natural gas, respectively. The average prices paid for natural gas purchased
from local distribution companies by residential and commercial customers
were $14.31 and $12.12 per thousand cubic feet, respectively. |