One of the North Tahoe Chamber’s priorities is advocating on behalf of the business community on issues that have the potential to affect their businesses. Chamber representatives regularly meet with local and state legislators, stay abreast of topics related to utility and other providers, and host legislative forums that connect policymakers with the community. The Chamber’s position aims to drive progress and help shape favorable policies that address challenges and opportunities that benefit local businesses.
The North Tahoe business advocates on behalf of the business community to ensure that their voice is well represented. The North Tahoe:
- meets with local and state legislators to communicate business priorities
- participates in utility heatings to address cost impacts
- hosts legislative forums that connect policymakers to the community.
Small Business Utility Advocates
- Liberty Utilities’ 2025 General Rate Case initially proposed a 19.1% rate increase, which would have significantly impacted the local small business community. The Chamber enlisted the support of Small Business Utility Advocates (SBUA) to intervene in the rate case and represent small business ratepayers throughout the process.
- Through its participation, SBUA joined a multi-party settlement that resolved most disputed revenue requirement issues and participated in litigation on remaining issues, including return on equity and rate design. As a result of these efforts, Liberty’s original revenue request was reduced by 7.12%, resulting in an overall revenue increase of 11.92%.
- Importantly, the settlement includes several protections and commitments for small business customers. These include reductions to Liberty’s requested capital spending, limitations on recovery of major projects, preservation of small-business customer care and energy-efficiency programs, and requirements for Liberty to conduct direct outreach to small businesses. Liberty must also survey A-1 customers, share findings with SBUA, develop an action plan, and address small business needs in its next General Rate Case.
- Overall, SBUA’s involvement helped secure meaningful cost-control measures and customer-service commitments designed to make Liberty’s rates and programs more responsive to the needs of the small business community.
Learn more about SBUA’s Advocacy and Settlement with Liberty.
Become a Member for Free
- We welcome the membership of local small businesses and their input. Similar to a petition, our strength is in our membership numbers. Please join us today to help strengthen our advocacy and protect the interests of small businesses.
- Small Business Utility Advocates (SBUA) is intervening in Liberty’s 2025 General Rate Case to represent the interests of small business ratepayers in the Liberty territory. We oppose the proposed 19.1% rate increase and are advocating for more fair rates, better programs, and improved service for small commercial customers.
