Ensures full refunds for billing errors and tackles skyrocketing fuel charges
CARSON CITY — Gov. Joe Lombardo has signed Assembly Bill 452 (AB452) into law, a bipartisan measure that takes a critical step toward protecting Nevadans from utility overcharges and unchecked bill increases.
Sponsored by Assemblymember Tracy Brown-May, the new law ensures full refunds with interest for customers who are wrongly billed — and lays the groundwork for a fairer and responsible approach to volatile fuel costs.
AB452 responds directly to an ongoing investigation into NV Energy’s overcharging practices, which affected tens of thousands of customers and contributed to the resignation of the utility’s CEO. Some customers were refunded as little as $95 after being overbilled by more than $1,100, a failure in transparency, fairness, and accountability.
The law also tackles one of the main drivers of utility bill spikes: the full pass-through of fuel costs to customers. Nevada relies on imported fossil fuels for nearly two-thirds of its electricity generation. When fuel prices rise due to global conflict, weather events, or supply chain disruptions, families bear the full financial burden, while NV Energy shareholder profits remain insulated from risk. AB452 instructs the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada (PUCN) to evaluate a fuel cost-sharing policy that would require NV Energy to absorb a portion of those unforeseen costs.
The bill passed overwhelmingly, with a 35–7 vote in the Assembly and a 20–0 vote in the Senate, a strong bipartisan message that Nevada must do more to hold its largest utility accountable.
“We thank Assemblymember Tracy Brown-May for her leadership in championing this bill and the Legislature for coming together across party lines to protect Nevada families,” said Kristee Watson, Executive Director of the Nevada Conservation League. “We also applaud Gov. Lombardo for signing AB452 into law. This is a smart, fair policy that ensures utility customers are fully refunded when mistakes are made — and begins the important work of shifting responsibility for skyrocketing fuel costs away from hardworking Nevadans and back to the utility.”
“This bill restores a basic sense of justice,” said Pastor Marlon Anderson, Clean Energy Community Organizer with Faith Organizing Alliance. “If a utility overcharges a family, they should pay it back — every penny. AB452 ends the days of NV Energy profiting from its own mistakes, and it starts to shift the burden of fuel cost spikes away from struggling families and back onto the utility. We thank Gov. Lombardo for signing this bipartisan reform into law and Assemblymember Tracy Brown-May for her leadership throughout the session.”
“This law is a long-overdue step toward fairness and accountability for Nevada families,” said Dr. Mary House, CEO of CHR, Inc. “Far too many people have been left to shoulder rising utility bills while executives avoid responsibility. AB452 not only ensures customers are repaid when overcharged, but it also moves us toward real solutions for rising energy costs by requiring the utility to share in the risk. We thank Assemblymember Brown-May for her commitment to doing what’s right, and we commend Gov. Lombardo for standing with the people by signing this bill.”
“Our communities have been paying the price of NV Energy’s poor decisions for years — through sky-high fuel prices, billing mistakes, and a system that puts corporate shareholders ahead of customers,” said Shaunda Johnson, Executive Director, Faith in Action Nevada. “AB452 is a long-overdue correction. It ensures Nevadans are fully refunded when wronged and puts real pressure on utilities to act responsibly when fuel prices rise. We thank the Nevada Legislature for leading with integrity, and we’re grateful Gov. Lombardo signed this bill to protect the people.”
“Parents across Nevada are tired of unpredictable energy bills and utility mistakes that hurt families already struggling to make ends meet,” said Mary Wagner, Nevada Field Organizer for Moms Clean Air Force and EcoMadres. “AB452 delivers long-overdue protections and accountability. It’s a win for families, for fairness, and for our future. We’re thankful to Nevada’s leaders for coming together and taking this important step forward for Nevada’s children and communities.”
“AB452 is an essential step toward holding utilities accountable and protecting Nevada families from predatory billing practices,” said Julia Hubbard, Nevada Program Director for Solar United Neighbors. “For too long, NV Energy customers have been left holding the bag when the utility makes mistakes or engages in questionable practices. This new law ensures that when utilities overcharge customers, they must make it right with full refunds and interest—that’s basic fairness. While we celebrate this victory, we must continue pushing for stronger consumer protections and utility oversight to pave the way for more affordable clean energy options for all Nevadans.”
“Nevadans are tired of being abused by corporate monopoly utilities. AB452 is common-sense legislation that will ensure NV Energy can’t steal millions from its customers and get away with it,” said Audrey Peral, Program Director for Chispa Nevada. “NV Energy isn’t just taking advantage of overcharging us — they are also fully passing onto customers the cost of fuels they choose, despite how expensive or polluting they might be. We’re now one step closer to establishing what fairness and accountability look like for utilities.”
Press interested in one-on-one interviews should contact Camalot Todd, communications director at NCL, at Camalot@
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The Nevada Conservation League is the independent voice of Nevada’s conservation community. NCL works to maintain and enhance the natural character of Nevada and the quality of life for Nevadans through effective advocacy, the election of pro-conservation candidates, and building collaboration.