Nevada’s largest electric utility, NV Energy, has admitted it overcharged customers by approximately $65.4 million between 2002 and 2025. The disclosure comes as part of an ongoing regulatory investigation into a billing classification error.
What Happened
According to a filing with the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada (PUCN), NV Energy’s billing systems misclassified some apartment customers as single‑family residential customers — a difference that changed how rates were applied. The utility says the estimate may overstate the actual amount, but it still points to tens of thousands of customers being impacted.
Earlier PUCN investigations found the overcharges amounted to at least $17 million for roughly 60,000 customers between April 2017 and April 2024. NV Energy later added roughly $38 million to its estimate, and in the most recent filing tacked on another $27.4 million from April 2002 to May 2017.
Implications for Customers
Some refunds are already in motion: NV Energy announced a refund program worth $32.6 million, of which about $5.4 million has already been issued.
The exact number of customers affected has not been made public yet, leaving many waiting to see if they’re eligible.
The classification error raises questions about billing transparency, internal controls and how easily such mistakes can go unnoticed for decades.
Why This Matters
For many consumers, utilities are among the most trusted service providers — we expect accurate billing, stable service and fair treatment. When a utility admits to multi‑million dollar overcharges over a long period, it shakes that trust. For NV Energy customers in Nevada, it means reviewing past bills, awaiting refunds and watching for regulatory decisions that may impact future billing.
At a broader level, this case underscores the importance of oversight and robust classification practices in utilities and other regulated service providers. Small mis‑classifications — in this case, between apartment vs single‑family residential customers — can scale to massive dollar amounts over time when unchecked.
What’s Next
NV Energy and the PUCN will continue finalizing how refunds will be distributed and ensure the correct customers are identified.
Regulators may require NV Energy to tighten its billing systems, improve customer disclosures and undergo audits to restore confidence.
Impacted customers should review their past utility statements, look for notices from NV Energy and keep an eye out for communications about refund eligibility.
In short: if you’re a customer of NV Energy, it’s time to take a second look at your bills and stay informed — because this billing error isn’t just small rounding differences, it’s millions in overcharges and a significant wake‑up call for the utility sector.
