Nevada
Utility Energy Efficiency Programs
Updated: February 2010
Overview
Nevada has historically been one of the fastest
growing states in terms of population and energy
consumption. The population grew 4.1% each year from
2000-2006. Meanwhile, electricity retail sales reached
34.6 billion kilowatt (BkWh) in 2006 with a growth rate
of 3.5% per year on average from 2000-2006. Also, total
natural gas consumption was 249.7 billion cubic feet (Bcf)
in 2006 with a growth rate of 4.6% per year on average
from 2000-2006. This rapid expansion presented a number
of challenges including the high investment in new
generation, transmission and distribution facilities,
increase in water consumption, and higher pollution by
power plants. In 2009, the population growth rate
dropped dramatically to about 1%.
NV Energy is the largest electricity provider in the
state, with over 1.2 million customers and 7,800
megawatts (MW) of peak production. Eight rural electric
cooperatives, four municipal utilities, and three
general improvement districts serve the remaining 55,000
customers in Nevada.
Natural gas is provided by NV Energy and Southwest
Gas Corporation, which together serve a total of almost
790,000 customers in Nevada.
A number of steps are being taken to increase energy
efficiency, including increasing electric utility and
natural gas demand-side management (DSM) programs.
Below is a status report on utility energy efficiency
programs in Nevada:
Electricity Demand-Side Management
Natural Gas Demand-Side Management
(scroll down to view the details)
Electricity Demand-Side Management
NV ENERGY
Nevada Power, which serves the Las Vegas area, and
Sierra Pacific Power, which serves Reno & Carson City,
are now doing business as NV Energy. NV Energy has
implemented a wide range of cost-effective DSM programs
for its customers. In 2008, Nevada Power's four largest
DSM programs with a combined budget of $35.5 million
(79% of its total DSM budget) had a weighted-average
benefit-cost ratio of 4.1. Nevada Power's DSM programs
yielded energy savings equal to about 1.3% of total
retail electricity sales from programs and measures
implemented in 2008. For details, visit:
www.nvenergy.com/saveenergy/.
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Valley Electric Association
Headquartered in Pahrump, NV, Valley Electric
Association, Inc. serves approximately 24,000 services
and 16,500 memberships in southern Nevada, west of Las
Vegas, in Nye, Esmeralda, Clark and Mineral Counties.
Its highest peak load was 123 MW and it supplies more
than 464,000 MWh annually. Valley Electric conducts one
DSM program that offers zero-interest loans for solar
hot water heaters.
For details, visit
www.vea.coop/renewable/Solar%20WH.php.
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Boulder City
The City of Boulder City serves approximately 6,800
customers in Boulder City, southern Clark County. Its
peak load has remained at approximately 51 MW and the
supply has increased approximately 12% to over 183,000
MWh. The City of Boulder conducts DSM programs that
offer rebates for solar window screens, solar hot water
systems, evaporative coolers, high-efficiency air
conditioners, and efficient two-speed pool pumps.
For details, visit
www.bcnv.org/conservation/Rebates.asp.
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Mount Wheeler Power
Headquartered in Ely NV, Mount Wheeler Power Company
serves approximately 7,000 customers in northeastern
Nevada customers in Elko, White Pine, Eureka, and Nye
Counties, as well as three Utah counties. Its highest
peak load was 83 MW and it supplies approximately
505,000 MWh annually. Mount Wheeler conducts DSM
programs that offer rebates for high-efficiency
refrigerators, central air conditioners, heat pumps,
clothes washers, dishwashers, and ranges with convection
ovens.
For details, call 800-977-6937.
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Wells Rural Electric Cooperative
(WREC)
Headquartered in Wells, NV, Wells Rural Electric
Company serves approximately 4,000 customers in
northeastern Nevada, in Elko County and 1,000 customers
in Western Utah. Its highest peak load was 116 MW and it
supplies more than 796,000 MWh annually. Wells Rural
Electric conducts a residential rebate program for
energy efficiency improvements, including insulation,
window replacement, purchase of compact fluorescent
light bulbs and fixtures, and energy-efficient
appliances (high-efficiency water heaters,
refrigerators, freezers, clothes washers, and
dishwashers). It also provides a rebate for EnergyStar-rated
manufactured homes.
For details, visit:
www.wrec.coop/display.php?page=15.
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Raft River Rural Electric
Headquartered in Malta, ID, Raft River Rural serves
customers in Idaho, Utah and approximately 1,200
customers in extreme northeastern Nevada. Its highest
peak load was 75 MW and it supplies approximately
278,000 MWh annually. Raft River conducts DSM programs
that offer rebates for high-efficiency water heaters,
refrigerators, freezers, clothes washers, and
dishwashers.
For details, call 775-489-8144.
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Harney Electric Cooperative
Headquartered in Burns, OR, Harney Electric
Cooperative serves a little over 700 customers in
southeastern Oregon and north-central Nevada.
Approximately 1,500 of Harney's customers are located in
Nevada. Its highest peak load was 57 MW and it supplies
approximately 183,000 MWh annually. Harney conducts DSM
programs that offer rebates for high-efficiency
refrigerators, clothes washers, and dishwashers.
For details, call 541-573-2061.
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Plumas Sierra Rural Electric
Headquartered in Portola CA, Plumas-Sierra Rural
Electric Cooperative serves customers in California and
a little over 360 customers Washoe County, Nevada. Its
highest peak load was 25 MW and it supplies
approximately 147,000 MWh annually. Plumas-Sierra
conducts DSM programs that offer rebates for
high-efficiency water heaters, refrigerators, clothes
washers, and dishwashers. electronics, and CFL light
bulbs.
For details, visit
www2.psln.com/energy_rebates.php?sec=enersol&pag=enerreb.
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Natural Gas Demand-Side Management
NV Energy
Sierra Pacific Power Company has been conducting DSM
programs for its natural gas customers for several
years. For information on NV Energy's natural gas DSM
programs, visit:
www.nvenergy.com/saveenergy/.
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Southwest Gas
Southwest Gas offers a variety of energy
efficiency programs in Nevada, including:
- Low-Income Energy Conservation
Program
- ENERGY STAR® Home Program
- Residential Energy-Efficient
Consumer Products Rebate Program
- Furnace Rebate
- Commercial Energy Audit
- Commercial Energy-Efficient
Equipment Rebate Program
- Solar Thermal Advantage Rebate
(STAR) Program
- Residential Weatherization
Program
For information on Southwest Gas's DSM
programs, visit:
www.swgas.com/efficiency/nv/.
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