EXHIBIT 5


July 24, 1996


Board of Directors
Nevada Energy Company, Inc.
401 E. Fourth Street
Reno, Nevada  89512

Re:  Registration Statement on Form S-3
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Gentlemen:

I have acted as counsel for Nevada Energy Company, Inc. (the "Company") in
connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the "Registration
Statement") the Company proposes to file with the Securities and Exchange
Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with respect to (a) the
proposed sale by certain shareholders of the Company of 5,436,663 issued and
outstanding shares of the Company's Class A Common Stock, $.001 par value per
share (the "Shares"), as described in the Registration Statement and (b) the
proposed issuance of 3,757,619 Shares upon conversion of the Series A Preferred
Shares.  In connection with the filing of the Registration Statement, I am of
the opinion that:

     1. The Company is duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the
     State of Delaware.

     2. The Shares when issued are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid
     and nonassessable.

I further consent to the filing of this opinion with the Securities and Exchange
Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the statement made
in reference to me under the caption "Legal Matters" in the Prospectus which is
made a part of the Registration Statement.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Richard A. Cascarilla

Richard A. Cascarilla
Corporate Secretary and
General Counsel