GLOSSARY Customer Classes: Customers are sometimes categorized according to type (for example, residential or industrial) or by the amount of energy typically consumed (low volume to high volume).

Deferred Energy Rate Case: A rate filing made by an electrical utility to recover or refund the difference between the utility’s revenue from energy rates and the actual costs for fuel and power purchased by the utility over a given time period. Electric utilities are not allowed to profit on fuel and purchased power costs. At the conclusion of a Deferred Energy Rate Case, the PUCN establishes a deferred energy credit (or charge) and sets a new energy rate.

Energy Rate: The amount charged by the utility to its customers for the energy used by the customers.

General Rate Application: Is when a utility requests a change in the energy rate it charges to its customers. This is also sometimes referred to as a Rate Filing.

General Rate Case: A rate filing made by a utility to change its revenue requirement and its rate design.

(Nevada) Legislative Commission: The Legislative Commission consists of 12 Nevada State Legislators who exercise general policy-making and supervising authority over the operations of the Legislative Counsel Bureau.

Legislative Counsel Bureau: Is a nonpartisan centralized agency serving both houses, and members of all political parties. It carries out

functions from simple administrative duties to legislative oversight, policy research, and emergency appropriations.

Rate Design: The way in which new rates are spread across customer classes.

Rate Filing: Is when a utility requests a change in the energy rate it charges to its customers. This is also sometimes referred to as a General Rate Application.

Revenue Requirement: The total amount of revenue a utility needs to cover its cost of providing utility service (except for fuel and power purchases) plus its allowable profit.

Tariffs: The rules which explain the rights and obligations of utilities and customers.

CONSUMER SESSIONS

Get Informed. Be Heard.

If you have a problem that you have been unable to resolve with your utility, please contact the Public Utilities Commission of

Nevada (PUCN) Consumer Complaint Resolution Division:

Carson City: (775) 684-6100 Las Vegas: (702) 486-2600

puc.nv.gov

How Do I Know When a Consumer Session Is Scheduled?

• Lookintheinformationalmaterialsincludedin your monthly utility bill (“bill stuffers”).Scheduledconsumersessionswillbeincludedinthisinformation.

• You can also contact the PUCN and ask to have your email address included in a Consumer SessionEmailAlertDistributionList.

•Visit puc.nv.gov -- consumer sessions are typically listed on the home page.

ABOUT US The Public Utilities Commission of Nevada (PUCN) supervises and regulates the operation and maintenance of public utilities within the state. It is an independent body that balances the interests of customers and shareholders of public utilities by providing customers with just and reasonable rates, and by providing utilities with the opportunity to earn a fair return on their investments. The PUCN consists of three Commissioners appointed by the Governor for terms of 4 years. Its mission is to enable universal access to affordable, efficient, safe, and reliable utility service in Nevada.

REGULATED UTILITIESIn general, the PUCN regulates investor-owned electric and natural gas utilities, certain aspects of local telephone service, and privately-owned water and sewer companies in Nevada. The PUCN is also involved in monitoring gas pipelines, rail safety, and excavations near utility installations.

CONSUMER SESSIONSThe PUCN conducts consumer sessions to receive comments from the public on issues concerning public utilities.

There are three types of consumer sessions:

General Consumer Sessions. At least once a year, the PUCN conducts general consumer sessions to receive public comment from citizens regarding public utilities. The PUCN submits a record of each general consumer session to the state’s Legislative Commission.

Rate Cases. The PUCN conducts rate case consumer sessions whenever a public utility has filed a general rate application, or an application to change rates because of higher fuel or wholesale power costs.

Non-rate Cases. There are many matters under the jurisdiction of the PUCN that do not involve utility rates. In some of these matters, the PUCN may decide it is appropriate to hold a consumer session.

YOUR PARTConsumer sessions are attended by the Commissioners and staff of the PUCN, and also by representatives of the utilities. Your attendance gives you the opportunity to ask questions of both the Commissioners and the utilities, and also to be heard about topics that concern you.

To participate while at a consumer session, just raise your hand and step forward. You may be asked to fill out a card so that the PUCN has your name for the record. Most consumer sessions are transcribed by a court reporter. Everything said publicly becomes part of the official record, which is reviewed prior to final decisions by the PUCN. After giving your name, you are free to ask questions or make any statement you wish. Please try to be courteous and brief.

YOUR COMMENTSYour comments are very important in helping the PUCN determine public interest. These sessions provide information that can be further developed and presented at formal hearings, or may result in other action by the PUCN.

QUALITY OF SERVICEThe PUCN is interested in how well utilities are serving their customers, and customers are the best measurement of a company’s level of service. Your comments, negative or positive, are very important in the decision making process.