Hay to continue effort

Thursday, Nov. 7, 2002 | 9:18 a.m.

The incoming attorney general has represented an organization with close ties to Nevada Power Co. -- but don't expect Brian Sandoval to curb his colleague's aggressive pursuit of lower energy rates.

Sandoval, elected Tuesday, takes office in January. Ads for John Hunt, Sandoval's opponent, criticized Sandoval for supporting Nevada Power rate increases as an attorney for the Utility Shareholders Association of Nevada.

While Sandoval represented the utility shareholders, Nevada Consumer Advocate Tim Hay was trying to turn back rate increases. Hay also supports the proposed buyout of Nevada Power by the Southern Nevada Water Authority, a move so far steadfastly opposed by company management.

And the consumer advocate is technically part of the attorney general's office.

But Hay said energy consumers should not fear that he will stop working on Nevada Power issues. Appointed by sitting Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa last year, Hay has a four-year term by state law. So even if Sandoval disagrees with the consumer advocate, he cannot stop him from pursuing an independent agenda.

"When the office was created in 1981, it was specifically designed to have a degree of autonomy," Hay said. "I don't anticipate that (the election) would change the operations of our shop to any perceivable degree.

"My guess is that we will continue to aggressively represent the consumers on these issues for the remainder of my term."

Nevada Power, a subsidiary of Reno-based Sierra Pacific Resources, has raised electricity prices more than 45 percent over the last three years. But the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada last spring struck down about half of Nevada Power's request for a $920 million rate increase.

Nevada Power is in the courts seeking the remainder of the rate hike.

Hay said he intends to serve his full term, which expires in June 2005. At that point Sandoval, if he is still attorney general, could name another consumer advocate.

Sandoval, a Republican, said voters should not expect him to go to bat for Nevada Power. His emphasis, he said, is to apply and enforce existing state law.

"The only impact I see is a positive one, in that I have extensive experience in front of the Public Utilities Commission in terms of energy law," he said.