NV Energy denies business owner compensation after power outage

RENO, Nev. (KOLO) – The power is back on for most of residents and business owners in Northern Nevada following NV Energy’s planned power outage.

Although businesses in the Mayberry Landing complex are back open to customers, they will not be compensated for being shut down during the PSOM (Public Safety Outage Management).

Claudio Iturriaga, the owner of Dolce Caffe, says his business was hit hard financially on Wednesday. “When I called them to ask what kind of compensation they would be providing, they (NV Energy) said none. As a business owner, a small business owner in particular, every dollar counts. Definitely in a small business. So there was no regard for the well-being of a small business owner and it is kind of a letdown.”

Iturriaga said he spent over $800 trying to keep his business open to customers. He borrowed a generator from his friend to power the freezer and refrigerator but had to spend $167 on a battery and gas. The company spent $500 on dry ice and $180 on heavy-duty cable. The small business also had to throw out all dairy products, gelato and yogurt.

“Well it’s a lot cheaper to compensate us if you are going to close us for a day. This was one day, it was supposed to be a day and a half. What are they going to do? They can’t just keep us closed. We have to pay bills. We have to feed our families. There are people who depend on us for work. I just hope they have a better plan in place moving forward,” added the owner, who says they lost 60% of sales that day.

It appears that NV Energy does not have a home or business owner reimbursement program. Instead, you can call and file a claim on their customer service line, 702-402-5426.

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