With excessive heatwaves and wildfires across the western states, Nevada's electric company will create more energy supply – allowing the silver state to be less reliant.
"The plan also includes two natural gas-fired peaking units as well. So those units are designed to be able to start up very quickly operate during this summer peak condition and serve our customers," said Josh Langdon, NV Energy.
The $330,000,000 project will be built at an existing generating station north of Las Vegas.
NV Energy says the turbines will have minimal carbon dioxide emissions because they'll only operate as a backup during peak summer months.
"A wildfire could impact a transmission line that's designed to move power from one area of the country to the other. So, we've seen those impacts in the last couple of years where transmission lines in Oregon or northern California," said Langdon.
While electric officials say it's a more reliable option, as a leader in the clean energy economy, some say it puts Nevada behind its goal of a greener future.
"We have renewable portfolio standards which are written in statutes, and it's also enshrined in our constitution to get 50% renewable energy by the year 2030, that is just seven years away, and while we're on this path to clean renewable energy we should be leaning into that," said Angelyn Tabalba, the Nevada Conservation League.
The big question you're probably wondering about: will this project save Nevadans any money on utility bills? NV Energy says no.
The cost of the $330,000,000 project will be put back on customers spiking your utility bill.
"We've certainly seen the price of natural gas, in particular, increase this year in the recent past. Right. So that's one of the impacts in terms of, you know, a customer saying an increase in their bill," explains Langdon.
NV Energy couldn't tell News 3 exactly how much of a price hike customers will see; however, customers won't foot the bill until after the project is online in July 2024.
There are some bill assistance programs available, including Assistance Programs | NV Energy and Save Energy | NV Energy.