LETTERS: Parking fee opens Pandora’s box on Strip

After reading the Jan. 23 article on the new parking fee for MGM Resorts and and CEO Jim Murren’s justification for it, my only thought was that MGM is opening another Pandora’s box in Las Vegas. As we all know from past examples, (“Murren: MGM not ‘tone deaf’ to reaction on ending free Strip parking”). ch as with the airlines, once a fee starts, it only grows. Fees never go away and never go down.

I am sure all the concessions being considered with a parking fee now will eventually evaporate as people get used to paying the fee. Again, just look at the airline industry as a prime example. The only question is: How long before all the other hotel-casinos follow suit?

The casinos are already pricing themselves out of the entertainment market. Many of my friends have stopped visiting here because of the higher prices for just about everything else. This move only diminishes the luster of Las Vegas.

Jim Hayes

Las Vegas

‘Subsidizing’ solar

Regarding Richard Rychtarik’s letter (“Rooftop solar anger,” Monday Review-Journal), the solar cap is 3 percent of NV Energy’s peak power capacity, which works out to 225 megawatts. NV Energy’s website states it serves 1.2 million customers; there are 17,500 rooftop solar owners, which works out to about 1.5 percent. Do those 1.5 percent create that much of a cost burden?

Net metering started in 1997. In 2015, NV Energy said solar is subsidized. When challenged, the company proposed grandfathering current solar users for 20 years. NV Energy’s flip-flop suggests there is no subsidy, certainly not to the new rates. The Public Utilities Commission says it’s a $16 million subsidy to rooftop solar owners, but provides no justification, and NV Energy does likewise.

A subsidy of $16 million is $914 per year, per solar customer, or $76 per month. From Jan. 7 to Feb. 5, I generated 885 Kilowatt hours of excess power. NV Energy could sell that to my neighbors for $98.61 (11 cents per kWh) and gave me credit of $81.33 (9 cents per kWh). NV Energy made $17.28 by doing nothing. By 2020, with similar excess power generation, my credit will drop from $81.33 to $23.44, and NV Energy will profit $75.16. The connection rate will also rise to $38.51, meaning I will be subsidizing nonsolar customers. The fixed connect charge is insidious, because if I generate no excess energy (and get no credit), plus pay the full rate for my evening energy in the summer, I get no subsidy, but still pay 302 percent more for the connection.

The fair thing to do is to tell us — with facts — what the subsidy is, then price my excess hours’ credit to cover it. Leave the connection rate alone. NV Energy reads my two meters electronically. There is no added labor cost. Charge the cost difference between regular meters and my two net meters, charge me installment payments, and leave my basic connection charge at $12.75.

Michael T. Baker

Las Vegas

Avoid High Roller

The Review-Journal shouldn’t have published the article, “Vitalvegas.com’s 11 vital tips for having sex on the High Roller.” Does the RJ think that’s newsworthy? With all the problems in this city that never get reported on, the RJ just added to another problem. Will that increase your subscriptions?

When I was 12 years old, I waited for an hour to get on a ride at the county fair. When I reached the front of the line, my car was full of vomit. I walked away and never wanted to get on that ride again. Similarly, I cannot imagine getting on the High Roller anymore. I did save the article to show any visitors. If you don’t think sex on the High Roller is a problem, then you are part of the problem in this city.

Rick Lynch

Las Vegas