NV Energy Price Increase Starts Next Month

We are just a few days away from saying goodbye to 2023 and saying hello to 2024. For many of us in the Las Vegas Valley, it's not just about new beginnings – it's about to also be about higher bills. We should all brace ourselves because it looks like NV Energy is hiking up our electric rates once again. Didn't they just do this in July? It's infuriating...

I don't know about you, but my power bill this summer was, on average, over one hundred dollars more expensive than it was last year. And listen, my house isn't that big. There's no reason why my power bill should be as expensive as it was this year. It bums me out so much to see these costs go up without any real explanation.

The Public Utilities Commission of Nevada has given NV Energy the green light to proceed with a rate increase. According to a Fox5 article, the PUCN says it's necessary to fund upgrades to power lines and other improvements across southern Nevada. But for us, it means an average increase of about 3.3% in our monthly bills. That might not sound like much, but for many families, it adds up – especially when everything else seemingly is getting more expensive too.

And it's not just NV Energy – Southwest Gas is also planning to raise its rates in the new year. They're expecting customers here in the Valley to see their bills go up by just over eight dollars a month.

It's frustrating to see these companies continually raising rates without a clear benefit for us, the customers. As we head into the New Year, many of us are left wondering how much more we'll have to pay for the same services. It's a tough pill to swallow.

We'll have to wait and see how these rate increases impact our monthly budgets. But for now, it looks like we'll have to tighten our belts a little more in the coming year.

'Tis the season when many of us craft our New Year's resolutions, including aspirations such as adopting healthier habits, reducing social media consumption, abstaining from alcohol, and embracing more home-cooked meals. While these goals are admirable, the recurring nature of such resolutions and the common struggle to stick to them is a familiar tale. Whether one opts for one resolution or a collection of them, why not inject a dose of originality by steering clear of clichés?

The advent of the New Year presents a blank canvas. It's an opportunity to rectify past missteps. New Year's resolutions embody the optimism that the upcoming year will be brighter, symbolizing a departure from the past. Dennis Buttimer, M.Ed., CEAP, RYT, a facilitator at Thomas F. Chapman Family Cancer Wellness at Piedmont, shared his take on the motivation behind making these resolutions. He stated, "I think most people desire a second chance to enhance the quality of their lives," as shared on Piedmont.org. He mentioned that we are employing a concept known as "self-efficacy." This concept entails that, by setting a goal and actively pursuing it, we gain a sense of control over the events unfolding in our lives.

While the tradition of formulating New Year's resolutions has been around for quite some time, it has evolved. According to the History Channel, the ancient Babylonians, credited with pioneering this practice some 4,000 years ago, observed a different commencement of the year in mid-March, coinciding with the planting of crops. Their 12-day religious festival, Akitu, involved the coronation of a new king or the reaffirmation of loyalty to the reigning one. Interestingly, the Babylonians made pledges to the gods, promising to settle debts and return borrowed items. Fulfilling these commitments was believed to garner favor from the pagan deities for the ensuing year.

Back to the present day: if you want to embrace the tradition of New Year's Resolutions but want to steer clear of the usual ones that people typically lean towards, check out our compilation of non-cliché New Year's resolutions below.

Spice up your palate by trying a new food each month. Whether it's exotic fruits, international cuisines, or local foods. This resolution will take your taste buds on an adventure.

Sending handwritten letters to say thank you is a great way to add a personal touch to your New Year. It's a chance to swap out emails and texts and give someone something tangible. A tangible note carries a special warmth that words on a screen can't replicate.

Unplug and unwind by turning off your phone for one night every week. Enjoy some screen-free time and soak in the real world. It's a resolution you can treat like a mini digital vacation.

Travel somewhere special and savor the experience without the pressure to post. Take a trip without turning it into a social media spectacle. Keep it on the down-low, soak in the adventure, and let your experiences be yours alone. No hashtags needed.

Instead of fixating on future goals, try crafting a reverse bucket list. Jot down and cheer for all the quirky and unexpected things you've already accomplished. It's like a highlight reel of your incredible moments.