Nevada Clean Energy Fund Backs Programs to Lower Customer Bills, Expand Access to Energy Upgrades, and Improve Grid Reliability
CARSON CITY, NV – As Nevadans pay high summer electricity bills from increased air conditioning use, state regulators are considering new NV Energy programs that could help customers lower energy costs and upgrade their homes and businesses. The Nevada Clean Energy Fund is urging regulators to approve two new utility programs included in NV Energy’s 2026 Integrated Resources Plan: the Tariffed-On-Bill Pilot and Grid Services Tariff Riders. These programs would help households and businesses afford energy improvements and compensate customers when their equipment is used to support the electricity grid.
“Nevada is facing higher electricity demand from population growth, extreme heat, and new large customers like data centers,” said Kirsten Stasio, CEO of the Nevada Clean Energy Fund. “These two programs would help more Nevadans afford upgrades like efficient air conditioners and home batteries while putting that equipment to work for the electricity grid. They can help Nevada meet growing electricity needs faster and more affordably, while avoiding the need to build new large power plants or costly transmission or distribution upgrades.”
The Tariffed On-Bill Pilot would help households and businesses make energy-saving upgrades without paying the full cost of the upgrade upfront. Under the program, NV Energy would cover the initial upgrade cost and recover its investment over time through a monthly charge on the customer’s utility bill. Because the monthly charge is designed to be less than the energy savings from the upgrade, the customer experiences lower utility bills from day one. By eliminating the need for traditional credit-based financing, the program could reach renters, lower-income households, and customers who may otherwise struggle to afford energy upgrades.
“We need to help vulnerable households and communities stay heat-safe in their homes, workplaces, and schools,” said Joanne Leovy, MD, who leads Nevada Clinicians for Climate Action. “The Las Vegas region experiences temperatures above 105°F for more than 40 days each year, and NV Energy’s tariffed on-bill and virtual power plant proposals could provide critical resources to Nevadans for building resilience against extreme heat.”
The Grid Services Tariff Riders would compensate customers for allowing equipment like smart thermostats, home batteries, and electric vehicle chargers to help the grid when electricity use is high. By coordinating thousands of these devices, NV Energy could reduce demand during peak periods without sacrificing customer comfort. This approach, often called a virtual power plant, can make better use of existing equipment already in homes, businesses, and community buildings.
“When our air conditioner failed during a Las Vegas heat wave, we needed a new one fast, and the hardest part was coming up with the money to replace it,” said Michele L., a Las Vegas resident that participated in the Nevada Clean Energy Fund’s Residential Energy Upgrade Program. “A program that helps families cover that upfront cost would make a real difference, especially if our new system could also help the grid when electricity demand is high.”
“Washoe County is a great example of the potential for virtual power plants. Many County facilities operate only during business hours, leaving equipment available to support the grid during evening peaks,” said Brian Beffort, Sustainability Manager in the Office of the County Manager. “Participating in a virtual power plant program would lower the County’s energy costs, reduce burdens on taxpayers, and reduce greenhouse emissions and harmful air pollutants.”
To learn more, see the Nevada Clean Energy Fund’s public comments submitted to the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada.
About Nevada Clean Energy Fund
The Nevada Clean Energy Fund (NCEF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that supports a thriving, affordable, and accessible clean energy economy by providing financial and technical resources to Nevadans. Established by state legislation in 2017, NCEF serves as Nevada’s green bank and works to expand clean energy opportunities for households, businesses, and communities statewide.
Contact: press@nevadacef.org