Let’s get real on our energy policy
To the editor:
Tuesday’s Review-Journal carried a heartwarming article about Nellis Air Force Base and its completed solar project. Facts given by a Nellis spokesman stated:
1. The project cost $100 million (taxpayer money, of course).
2. Nellis will save $1 million per year in energy costs.
3. That leaves 100 years to recoup the cost — excluding operation and maintenance costs.
4. The spokesman said the panels are virtually maintenance-free. What about motors and other parts to move and store electricity?
5. The amount of electricity generated will be enough to take care of 13,000 homes.
6. Nellis will save money by exchanging solar-generated electricity for a lower rate from Nevada Power. If Nevada Power needs more revenue, who do they go to?
Let’s get real. Every authoritative energy analysis points to an inescapable imperative: Humankind cannot conceivably achieve a global clean-energy revolution without a rapid expansion of nuclear power to generate electricity, produce hydrogen for tomorrow’s vehicles and drive seawater-desalination plants to meet a fast-emerging world water crisis.
Today, some 440 civil nuclear reactors, in 30 countries, comprising two-thirds of humankind, produce 16 percent of the world’s electricity.
Under current plans, these nations will construct several hundred more reactors by 2030.
China and India will lead the way (and American companies will help them build the plants).
The expansion will be broad-based, and we need to be part of it.
Leonard Kreisler
LAS VEGAS
Got Daschled
To the editor:
In response to Erin Neff’s commentary of Dec. 16 (“Don’t expect Reid to get Daschled”): I pray that Nevadans are as astute as the citizens of South Dakota, who dumped Sen. Tom Daschle after he also ignored their core values and standards.
When the most compelling thing Ms. Neff can bloviate about in support of our illustrious Sen. Reid is: “By 2010, Nevada will undoubtedly be the recipient of tens of millions of dollars in additional earmarks, thanks to Reid,” I say, God help the United States of America.
In closing, let me again quote Ms. Neff: “Reid is no Daschle and will do everything to prove it.” No, Ms. Neff, he’s even worse. I wish him a fulfilling retirement in Searchlight after he is Daschled in 2010.
John J. Erlanger
LAS VEGAS
Crossing guards
To the editor:
I read with interest your Monday story regarding the high turnover rate for school crossing guards. I would like to propose a solution.
Few people, if anyone, want to work “split work shifts,” as it disrupts most people’s daily work or personal schedules. Thus it is no real surprise to me that they are having problems finding people to work those shifts. Similarly, working two to three hours for only $8.91 per hour (the rate mentioned in your article the school district pays the crossing guards) is essentially a “pauper wage.”
I suggest that the school district double the wage to $17.82 for a two- to three-hour work shift, with the crossing guards given the option of working either the morning or afternoon shift. The district shouldn’t be concerned about staffing both the shifts with the same person.
I believe the school district would have more applicants than they could handle, as most retirees would be attracted to earning $35.64 to $53.46 per work shift.
Meanwhile, parents, teachers and school administrators would breathe a sigh of relief knowing that the children were safe when they crossed a street on the way to their respective schools.
I think it would be well worth the investment.
Dan Hyde
LAS VEGAS
Candidate queries
To the editor:
The Dec. 18 letter from Robert Gardner about the questions he would like asked of the presidential candidates, reminded me of a few I would love to hear.
First, will you secure our borders and stop all taxpayer benefits (schools, health care, Social Security, etc.) for illegal aliens and enforce our immigration laws so that they will return to their home country voluntarily?
Second, would you consider stopping all foreign aid and bringing all our troops home other than in the war zones, until the countries came to us and promised loyalty?
Third, would you change immigration laws back to the preference of the educated and healthy, instead of the preference to laborers? We need to stop the outsourcing of our tech and skilled work.
And finally, would you change the law to stop the naturalization of the children of illegals born in this country? Only the children of legal citizens should be citizens of the United States.
C. Dorian
LAS VEGAS
