NV PUC Forced Ratepayers to Stand in 109-Degree Temperature in Order to Speak at a Consumer Session

LAS VEGAS - June 17, 2026 - PRLog -- The Nevada Public Utilities Commission (PUC) is statutorily mandated to hold an Annual Consumer Session (ACS) in Nevada's two largest counties, Clark and Washoe.

On June 16th, the Clark County ACS was held when temperatures in Las Vegas reached 109 degrees Fahrenheit, the hottest day of the year so far. The PUC forcing ratepayers to stand in this heat was the most atrocious display of disregard for ratepayer health and safety ever enacted by the PUC. Stephanie "Barbie" Mullens, the CFO, appeared to be the orchestrator of this health nightmare.

The majority of ratepayers attending the ACS were seniors, with some also having weight-related health concerns. Seniors are at increased risk for heat stroke and heat exhaustion, while those with weight-related issues can also be susceptible to heat-related illnesses. Barbie, with no medical training, decided that ratepayers should endure extreme afternoon heat in order to exercise their right to comment while she generously provided water.

Mullens erroneously believed that water was a viable remedy for direct heat exposure despite the fact that it would not replace electrolytes lost through prolonged exposure. Heat exposure causes the loss of sodium and potassium, and while water helps combat dehydration, it does not replace these electrolytes.

At approximately 3:15 p.m., Emergency Medical Services (EMS) was called to treat a ratepayer, most likely for a heat-related event.

Mullens should be terminated immediately and charged for intentionally placing seniors and other vulnerable populations in harm's way. General Counsel Garrett Weir, who most likely approved this assault on seniors and vulnerable ratepayers, should also be held accountable.

There was no notification that ratepayers would be required to wait outside in extreme temperatures before entering the PUC office.

Commissioner Tammy Cordova did not object or attempt to move those waiting outside into a safer location. She also refused to allow a 6:00 p.m. evening session, which would have mitigated many of the health concerns.

Las Vegas experiences extreme temperatures every summer, yet the PUC permitted vulnerable populations to be exposed to dangerous conditions. Rather than accept the input of a Board Certified Natural Health Practitioner and Degreed Athletic Trainer with education in heat-related situations, she allowed this unconscionable situation to continue.

Mullens generated a budget that increased the PUC's 'reserve' from $5.3 to 6.2 million dollars. Rather than providing cheap bottled water, if she had the most rudimentary knowledge of human physiology she would have provided electrolyte hydration.

The PUC owes the public an explanation for how and why these conditions were allowed to occur and assurances that ratepayers will not be subjected to such exposure during future consumer sessions.