The PUCN is a regulatory agency that ensures utilities comply with laws enacted by the Nevada Legislature. Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) chapters 426, 455, 701, 701B, 702, 703, 704, 704A, 704B, 705, 707, 708, 709, and 710 set forth the enabling legislation that establishes and defines the PUCN’s regulatory duties.
The PUCN adopts, repeals and amends regulations, under the authority granted by statutes, that have the force and effect of law. These regulations are contained in the Nevada Administrative Code (NAC) chapters 233B, 455, 702, 703, 704, 704A, 704B, 705, and 707.
To illustrate how utility regulation works in Nevada, consider Nevada’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), located at NRS 704.7801 through 704.7828. The RPS was created by the Legislature to require that a certain percentage of electricity sold by each electric utility to its customers comes from renewable energy resources. The PUCN ensures each utility’s compliance with the RPS through regulations in NAC 704.8831 through 704.8899, and by reviewing individual filings made by utilities to demonstrate that they have complied with the RPS requirements.
Nevada Renewable Energy Law (Nevada Revised Statutes)
Nevada Renewable Energy Regulations (Nevada Administrative Code)