LAS VEGAS ( KLAS ) — Southwest Gas and the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada are shedding light on the rise in utility bills, but a lot of people aren’t satisfied.
The utility company pointed to usage and the high price of natural gas purchased a year ago. Now, Southwest Gas is requesting more money to cover expenses.
While spokespeople told 8 News Now the “expenses” refer to capital improvement projects, the company’s request with the PUCN indicated wages and benefits could also be included.
Several homeowners are frustrated with having to fork out more for executive salaries.
“A 35% increase is significant, it is ridiculous,” Summerlin resident Eric Nelson said. He and his wife tried their best to watch their usage. Despite their efforts and use of one less therm, Nelson noticed close to a $130 jump from January 2023 to 2024.
He said he sees the logic in increases, but not the justification.
“Is the management team getting compensated excessively?” Nelson questioned. According to the company’s 2023 proxy statement, several executives earned millions of dollars last year. Overall, Southwest Gas ended 2023’s last quarter with $19 million more than 2022’s.