Local firms left hanging in PSC split

Friday, Aug. 1, 1997 | 11:40 a.m.

The commission split 2-2 on delaying a decision on the complaint by the Southern Nevada Action Coalition against the utility.

Commissioners Tim Hay and Judy Sheldrew wanted to vote on the case and issue a cease and desist order against Nevada Power. They opposed Commission Chairman John Mendoza's suggestion to delay and transfer it to another commissioner.

Nevada Power has proposed a program where heating and air conditioning firms could pay the utility $8,000 up front. In return, Nevada Power, when questioned by a customer about buying air conditioning or heating units, would refer the customer to one of the companies enrolled in the program.

Hay said Nevada Power would collect another $50 referral charge. The utility would then inspect and certify the work. Hay and Sheldrew said this implied that companies on the list were better than those who chose not to join.

The small firms who formed the Southern Nevada Action Coalition asked the PSC to stop Nevada Power from going forward and asked the PSC to draft and adopt a new rule for guidance as the utility industry moves into competition.

Mendoza had held a hearing on the coalition's requests. But he suggested another commissioner be assigned and that the two requests from the coalition be consolidated. He noted the commission is being split in October under a new law with one group handling utility matters and one dealing with transportation issues.

Mendoza has been assigned chairman of the Transportation Services Authority. Sheldrew and Hay will be on the Public Utilities Commission.

Commissioner Don Soderberg, who joins Mendoza on the transportation authority, favored the suggestion that the case be given another commissioner.

Because of the deadlock, the case automatically will be assigned to either Hay or Sheldrew since they are assuming all utility duties now.

Sheldrew, who is chairwoman of the new PUC, said there would not be another hearing but that the case would be decided on the record already built.