NRS702.170. Powers and duties of Commission; regulations and enforcement; reports; audits and investigations; administrative charge; deposit of money; civil action for recovery of money.

      1.  The Commission shall adopt regulations to carry out and enforce the provisions of NRS 702.160. Such regulations may require public utilities, municipal utilities and retail customers that are required to collect or remit money for the universal energy charge to file reports and to provide the Commission with information relating to compliance with the requirements of the universal energy charge.

      2.  In carrying out the provisions of NRS 702.160, the Commission shall solicit advice from the Consumer’s Advocate of the Bureau of Consumer Protection in the Office of the Attorney General, public utilities and municipal utilities and other knowledgeable persons.

      3.  The Commission may conduct audits and investigations of public utilities, municipal utilities and retail customers that are required to collect or remit money for the universal energy charge, if the Commission determines that such audits and investigations are necessary to verify compliance with the requirements of the universal energy charge. In conducting such audits and investigations, the Commission may exercise any of the investigative powers granted to the Commission pursuant to chapter 703 of NRS, including, without limitation, the power to issue orders to compel the appearance of witnesses and the production of books, accounts, papers and records.

      4.  To carry out its powers and duties pursuant to this chapter, the Commission is entitled to an administrative charge of not more than 3 percent of the money collected for the universal energy charge. After deduction of its administrative charge, the Commission shall deposit the remaining money collected for the universal energy charge in the State Treasury for credit to the Fund.

      5.  The Commission may bring an appropriate action in its own name for recovery of any money that a person fails to pay, collect or remit in violation of the requirements of the universal energy charge.

      (Added to NRS by 2001, 3233)