SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549


                                    FORM 8-K
               Current Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
                      The Securities Exchange Act of 1934



        Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported)   July 14, 2000
                                                           -------------


                          Sierra Pacific Power Company
                          ----------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



                                                 
                NEVADA                     0-508          88-0044418
- -------------------------------------   -----------    ------------------
   (State or other jurisdiction of      (Commission     (I.R.S. Employer
   incorporation or organization)       File Number)   Identification No.)


P.O. Box 10100 (6100 Neil Road), Reno, Nevada             89520-0400
- ---------------------------------------------          -----------------
   (Address of principal executive offices)               (Zip Code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code:    (775) 834-4011
                                                      ---------------



                                     None
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Former name, former address and former fiscal year,
                         if changed since last report)


Item  5.  Other Events
- ----------------------

     On July 12, 2000, Sierra Pacific Resources (the parent corporation of
Nevada Power Company and Sierra Pacific Power Company) issued a press release
announcing second quarter fuel and purchased power costs for the company's two
Nevada utility subsidiaries will likely exceed budgeted expenses by an estimated
$70-80 million.

     A copy of the press release, dated July 12, 2000, relating to the above
described matter is attached as Exhibit 99.1 hereto.


Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits
- -----------------------------------------


        (a)  Financial Statements of Businesses Acquired.
             -------------------------------------------

             Not required

        (b)  Pro forma financial information.
             -------------------------------

             Not required

        (c)  Exhibits.
             --------

             99.1   Sierra Pacific Resources-Press Release issued July 12, 2000


                                   Signature


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.



                                            Sierra Pacific Resources

Date:  July 14, 2000                  By:       /s/ Mark A. Ruelle
       -------------                      ---------------------------------
                                                   Mark A. Ruelle
                                              Senior Vice President
                                        Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer


                                 Exhibit Index
                                 -------------


Exhibit   99.1

     Sierra Pacific Resources-Press Release issued July 12, 2000.