New Proposal Targets Summer Power Shutoffs
A Nevada lawmaker wants to stop power companies from cutting off electricity during hot months, even when folks can’t pay their bills. Democrat Cinthia Moore plans to introduce a bill that would ban power shutoffs between May and October. Her plan would also force utility companies to offer payment plans to people who fall behind.
“The average Nevadan family spent almost $700 a month on their utility bill and they have to pick between paying their rent, feeding their families, or keeping the air conditioning running,” Moore said.
This comes as Las Vegas faced over 100 days of 100-degree heat last summer.
Why Conservatives Should Care
For many conservatives, this plan raises a red flag about government overreach. The proposal would place new rules on private businesses, potentially affecting how they operate and collect payments.
Many conservatives worry about the implications of such regulations on business operations and free markets.
When government mandates that businesses provide services without guaranteed payment for months at a time, it represents a departure from free market principles. This effectively requires companies to provide what amounts to interest-free loans to customers who aren’t paying their bills.
The plan also raises questions about personal responsibility. Should taxpayers or other customers bear the burden when some don’t pay their bills?
What’s Already in Place
What many don’t realize is that Nevada already has rules to protect consumers. The Nevada Administrative Code includes a “Consumer’s Bill of Rights” for utilities that limits when companies can shut off power during extreme weather.
These existing protections already require payment plans for people who fall behind on bills. They limit shutoffs during extreme weather conditions. They provide special assistance for seniors and disabled people. They also cap deposit amounts that can be required from new customers.
NV Energy, the state’s largest power provider, pointed to these existing protections when asked about Moore’s proposal.
They didn’t directly oppose the new plan but noted customers “are paying less for their energy now than they were at this time last year.”
The Price Tag Question
One big issue missing from the conversation: who pays when people can’t?
If utility companies can’t collect from non-paying customers for six months of the year, they’ll likely need to make up that money somewhere else. That could mean higher rates for everyone else.
Just last month, NV Energy filed for a rate increase of up to 9 percent, though they claim overall bills in 2025 will still be lower than in 2024 due to other factors.
Looking Ahead
The bill hasn’t been formally introduced yet, but would likely face debate in the legislative session. With Democrats controlling Nevada’s legislature, some form of the proposal could pass.
The real question is whether this is the right solution to a real problem. Are there better ways to help struggling families without expanding government control?
Conservative solutions might include community-based support programs that address needs without government mandates. Church and charity initiatives have long provided assistance to those in genuine need. Voluntary payment assistance funds allow people to help their neighbors by choice rather than by force.
Programs that provide targeted help only for those most vulnerable, such as the elderly during extreme heat, focus resources where they’re truly needed.
As the weather warms up this spring, this debate will likely heat up too. For many conservatives, the best solution isn’t more government mandates, but rather voluntary community action and personal responsibility.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
