Lawmakers bear some blame for energy prices
To the editor:
To understand some of the reasons why we are paying premium rates today to NV Energy, one needs to look at past actions of our Legislature and the former Public Service Commission.
It started in 1997 with Assembly Bill 366, establishing renewable energy. This issue escalated to debacle status in subsequent legislative sessions as lawmakers bought into the bogus global warming theory. In addition, they could not resist the alleged “free” money from Washington, D.C., to promote solar and other alternative energy and the great potential opportunity to be a leader in this untested and unproven industry.
Big dreams for them. Nightmares for the rest of us.
In the past five years, electricity rates have risen 25 percent and are headed higher. One reason is the legislative mandate for NV Energy to buy an increasing percentage of renewable power at about four times the cost of natural gas or coal. The increased cost to NV Energy is passed on to customers through higher monthly rates approved by the Public Utilities Commission.
EDWARD R. DUFFY
LAS VEGAS
Charitable efforts
To the editor:
I had to laugh at Jane Ann Morrison’s March 8 column, in which she stated that it was decided the solution to the MDA boot drive controversy was for Clark County firefighters to do what people thought they did all along: Volunteer on their own time.
But I don’t think the citizens of this valley thought that at all. On-duty boot drives were never done subversively or in a clandestine nature. I know because I did 29 boot drives in my 30-year Clark County career. The press did interviews with crews on the streets that hung huge MDA banners on large red or yellow Fire Department vehicles sitting at the busiest intersections in their particular area. Never in those 29 boot drives did we miss a call. Being mobile is essential in the fire service. Believe me when I say, it matters not whether you respond from an intersection, a restaurant, the store or the station. Mobility is our business.
A lot has been said as to why MDA and not other charities? It’s not fair. I’ll tell you why.
The MDA charity boot drive was founded by firefighters in this valley. That charity is our baby by birthright. Other charities are not.
Butch Snyder, a well-respected county fire chief and co-founder of the boot drive, died from muscular dystrophy. His son, a beloved county fire captain and brother to those of us who worked with him for years, fights his battles with muscular dystrophy daily.
He and other firefighters donated numerous hours attending camps for stricken children. Various fundraisers by firefighters for the MDA were done during off-time, away from public scrutiny.
But it’s the boot drive that gets the attention, and why not? It spread from this valley to nationwide and international fame.
Other businesses joined. Movie stars, politicians and, of course, my personal favorite, the ever-generous public. It was you who made it successful. The Fire Department was just the perfect medium. Now, thanks to our think tank of political geniuses, along with our brand new rookie fire chief, 57 years of conducting business is all wrong.
PETER L. HASLEHURST
LAS VEGAS
No transparency
To the editor:
I have some advice for the Republican candidate who wins the right to challenge Barack Obama for the presidency this November.
Back when Mr. Obama was campaigning for the presidency in 2007 and 2008, he stressed that if elected, his administration would be the most transparent in our nation’s history. We have found this is as far from the truth as possible. Just look at what has happened in his first three years in office.
During the first two years, with a Democratic-controlled Congress, he signed ObamaCare into law. This law was passed with extreme coercion of the Democratic members of Congress. The majority of U.S. citizens were and still are opposed to ObamaCare.
Another example of where Mr. Obama has reneged on his transparency promise is his issuance of hundreds of executive orders that negatively affect not only business but the freedoms of all citizens. Here again, citizens are widely opposed to most of his executive orders. The executive orders were issued because they could not win congressional approval.
CLARENCE LANZRATH
LAS VEGAS
Gas pains
To the editor:
I have read many opinions regarding gasoline prices. A few facts, if you please:
Gasoline was $1.89 a gallon at the start of President Barack Obama’s term. Now, the price is $3.89 a gallon.
Mr. Obama made much ado about giving us a $10 a week tax cut, which my grandchildren will be forced to pay back. Net increase in my pocket a month: $40. A net loss to our children and grandchildren.
I use 14 gallons of fuel a week, which means I’m paying $28 more each week, or $112 a month. Less the $40 Mr. Obama magnanimously “gave” me, that’s a net loss of $72 a month. What a deal.
Since 1977, during President Jimmy Carter’s term, I’ve been hearing that it will take four or five years to develop new oil resources. Had we started back then, we would have accomplished that task seven times over.
Mr. Obama’s supporters claim that if we develop new oil resources, it will go to China. I say good. Let’s get them to be 100 percent dependent upon our oil, so we can blackmail them like they do us.
We currently spend $95.4 billion a year on Middle East oil. Wouldn’t we rather have that money here? Where would that money do more good, in the pockets of some sheiks or U.S. stakeholders?
Bill Wilson
Henderson
