Nevada utility regulators have unanimously denied a request by NV Energy to raise the basic service charge for its Northern Nevada customers by 175 percent, instead awarding the utility just a fraction of its requested amount.

By a 15-4 vote last week, the Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee passed the Energy Permitting Reform Act, a compromise bill by brought Sens. Joe Manchin (I-WV) and John Barrasso (R-WY) to speed up the development of energy projects — renewable and fossil fuels.

NV Energy is proposing to raise its flat rate for service across Northern Nevada while lowering how much customers pay for actual energy use — a move watchdog groups say penalizes customers with low incomes or those who curb their power usage through conservation or by adding rooftop solar installations.