Harrah's Files Complaint Against Nevada Power

LAS VEGAS -- A subsidiary of Harrah's Entertainment Inc. claims delays on the part of Nevada Power Co. are holding up plans to build a power plant at The Rio hotel-casino and have cost the company more than $1.5 million.

Harrah's Operating Company Inc. made the claims in a complaint and request for dispute resolution filed last week with the state Public Utilities Commission.

In the complaint, Harrah's said it requested in July 2002 a meeting with Nevada Power officials to discuss plans to construct and connect a power plant on the site of The Rio. The proposed plant would generate 4.9 megawatts of power, all of which would be used on site and run parallel to the utility's existing system.

More than a year later, however, Nevada Power had not finalized its "interconnection agreement" with Harrah's, causing delays in the project, which was originally scheduled for a July 1, 2003, in-service date, the complaint said. The plant is now scheduled for a Feb. 1 in-service date.

Nevada Power could not be reached for comment on the allegations.

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