During a recent meeting of the Nevada Association of Electrical Workers, the four IBEW Locals in Nevada, including IBEW 1245, agreed to form a coalition to intervene in Public Utilities Commission of Nevada proceedings (called Dockets) which directly impact IBEW members and our work. The coalition, known as Nevada Workers for Clean and Affordable Energy (NWCAE), is committed to focusing on several key issues, including transportation electrification/EV infrastructure, transmission projects, General Rate Cases, renewable energy and energy storage projects, natural gas issues, wildfire/disaster protection, and workforce development.
“We need a way to push back on our enemies who are undermining energy policy and enriching themselves at the expense of most Nevada customers and future work for IBEW members,” said Local 1245 Business Manager Bob Dean as he explained the purpose of this new group effort.
This week, NWCAE officially intervened in the NV Energy EV Transportation Electrification docket filed with the Public Utilities Commission Nevada. The docket is based on SB 448 (Brooks), which was recently passed by Nevada Legislature and signed by Governor Sisolak in early June at IBEW 357.
“This is only the second time in the last 10 years that Local 1245 has intervened with the PUCN, although we have participated in several bill implementation hearings since 2017,” noted 1245 Assistant Business Manager Hunter Stern. “The last filing pertained to the Question 3 so-called ‘Energy Choice’ investigatory docket back in 2017. The results of that proceeding provided a big lift to the NO on Question 3 campaign, as we were able to produce findings that were supportive of our NO position. So, there can be great value in engaging in this arena.”
NWCAE has retained is a very well-known and respected labor union attorney, Nate Ring, with expertise in a wide range of Nevada State Administrative proceedings, including prior experience with PUCN. This week, he is participating in a pre-hearing conference to determine the content and order of substantive filings. Under the law that governs this docket, the PUCN has a 90-120 day period to complete review. We will report on the outcome when it comes out in early 2022.
“As a coalition of inside and outside locals, NWCAE will continue to file on dockets that may impact, positively or negatively, the interests of our members, including those on the topic of Greenlink transmission project, and a rumored ‘Future of Gas’ docket,” added Dean.