SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Liberty is the agency that supplies electricity for South Lake Tahoe and the California portion of the Sierra from Loyalton to Coleville, but how they obtain their power will be changing in the Spring of 2027. NV Energy has been the source for much of Liberty’s power, but the contract between the two will be ending as NV Energy prepares for Data Centers. When NV Energy’s Greenlink-West transmission project becomes operational, they will need their own resources and Liberty needs to make plans for the future.

NV Energy has been providing both the wires and the electricity that moves through them to be distributed to Liberty customers, but in 2027, it will be just providing just the wires. Their transmission lines also serve other wholesale customers.

Liberty filed an advice letter on March 19 with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) that seeks permission to go to the open market for power. Once the company receives the okay (could be 3-5 months), Liberty will release a “request for proposal” for a new energy supplier.

“We are looking to have all in place one year from now,” said Liberty President Eric Schwarzrock.

“We are a good energy supply partner for many,” said Schwarzrock. He said many suppliers have a high use of power in the summer months due to air conditioners, while Lake Tahoe’s peak use is around the Christmas and New Year’s holidays due to heating needs. He said Tahoe’s power needs are rare when compared to others in the electricity market place.

Schwarzrock said Liberty is excited to evaluate all of the opportunities that seeking new sources brings. They could expand renewable energy and possibly make it cheaper, but that won’t be known until companies reply to the RFP. He said there is always a risk that it could be more expensive.

“Nobody wants to pay more,” said Schwarzrock. “Need to get value for their money. Our absolute goal is twofold: We want to achieve our renewable requirements in the state, and we also want it to be as affordable as possible.”

Power companies from Idaho and Utah will most likely be among those responding to the RFP. Power from California is not possible at this time without a large investment, due to a lack of transmission lines that can connect to the current NV Energy lines that will remain.

Schwarzrock said the company is committed to transparency as “there are no secrets.” Liberty has created an FAQ page to help the public understand the situation (see HERE). They will also be at the April 21 South Lake Tahoe City Council meeting to discuss both the changing of a power source to the company’s closing on an in-person customer service center in the community.