The Las Vegas Metro Chamber of Commerce is formally opposing the Energy Choice Initiative, aligning the business association with NV Energy in opposition to the proposed constitutional amendment.

In a statement released Tuesday, the group said it had decided to oppose the ballot question — which would require Nevada to drop its electric monopoly model and transition to a competitive retail electric system by 2023 — as it would modify the state’s Constitution, making it difficult to change. The initiative, which passed 72 to 28 percent in 2016, has largely been funded by the Las Vegas Sands and Switch.

In a release, the group said it took into consideration the opinion of 33 businesses who make up the Chamber’s Government Affairs Committee, who heard from both sides of the ballot measure before making their decision.

“Because Question 3 would change the Nevada Constitution, it would be very difficult, if not impossible, to make any modifications to it in the event there are unintended consequences that would hurt consumers or create confusion in the marketplace,” committee chairman Hugh Anderson said in a statement. “Our decision about Question 3 is based on changing the constitution. We leave the door open to explore opportunities to open up the Nevada energy market to more competition during the normal legislative process.”

NV Energy, which would likely need to significantly scale down its operations and sell of its generating assets if the measure passes, has promised to spend up to $30 million opposing the measure.

Several other business groups, including the Latin Chamber of Commerce and Urban Chamber of Commerce, have also come out in opposition to the ballot measure.

Disclosure: Hugh Anderson is a partner with HighTower Las Vegas, a client of the media consulting firm of The Nevada Independent Managing Editor Elizabeth Thompson. Anderson is also a donor to The Nevada Independent, as is NV Energy and Switch. You can see all our donors here.