Sierra Pacific net rises

Sierra Pacific Resources earned $29.2 million in the second quarter compared with $9.1 million a year earlier.

The Reno-based utility holding company said strong growth in Reno and Las Vegas where it operates Nevada Power along with warmer weather boosted earnings.

Sierra Pacific Power, which serves northern Nevada, earned $9 million during the quarter compared with $3.9 million a year ago. It posted a 3.1 percent growth in electric customers and a 4.5 percent increase in natural gas customers compared with the second quarter of 2005.