Nevada Regulators Review Southwest Gas Rate Hike Request Amid Scrutiny Over Executive Expenses
Southwest Gas is seeking approval from the Nevada Public Utilities Commission (PUCN) for a revenue increase of approximately $66 million, which would translate to a 12% hike in monthly gas bills for customers, potentially adding about $7 to the average single-family bill. The Attorney General's Bureau of Consumer Protection (BCP) is scrutinizing the company's rate hike request, questioning numerous business expenses that Southwest Gas aims to recover from ratepayers. The BCP has identified what it terms "inappropriate charges," flagging about $1.8 million in expenses and recommending that regulators reject hundreds of thousands of dollars. These questioned expenses include high-end dinners, luxury hotel stays for executives, and significant attorney fees. For instance, a dinner for former president and CEO Karen Haller cost over $5,000, with more than $1,000 spent on alcohol, and another dinner for 18 guests cost nearly $3,000, including over $2,000 in alcohol. The BCP also noted charges for executive tran...