On January 16, 2007, Nevada Power Company (NPC), a subsidiary of Sierra Pacific Resources, submitted to the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada (PUCN) two applications: NPC's annual mandatory deferred energy rate case filing and a request to recover costs associated with terminated power contracts. If approved by the PUCN, the overall effect of both filings would be an approximate one percent decrease in NPC's overall customer revenues. In its deferred filing, NPC seeks to reduce its base tariff energy rate due to expected lower fuel costs and asks for recovery of approximately $72 million in past fuel and purchased power costs, both effective June 1, 2007. The filing, if approved, would lessen the impact of NPC's general rate case filing, previously filed on November 15, 2006, which requests a general rate increase to be effective as of June 1, 2007. The second filing requests recovery of costs associated with the settlement of claims for power contracts executed during the western energy crisis. NPC is seeking approximately $21 million, over a period of four years, to recover costs relating to the settlement of these claims. While the PUCN has up to 210 days to decide a fuel and purchased power case, NPC has requested that the rates become effective June 1, 2007. |