Letter: Power is no bargain here

Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2001 | 9:21 a.m.

Here's another letter concerning Nevada Power's cost increases. Only two occupants live in my small home and we have always done everything possible to conserve energy. I set my thermostat at 80 degrees, not 78 as recommended. I have ceiling fans, sun-screened windows, don't use the dishwasher, do laundry once a month and even vacuum the coils on the back of my refrigerator. I took pride in keeping my electric bill less than $100 a month year round.

Imagine my shock and outrage when last month's bill was $178 and this month it's $188! I used less electricity this time last year, yet my bill has nearly doubled. I even used less electricity this month than last month and still am paying more. My friend's house is larger than mine, with four people doing laundry, showering and using the dishwasher every night. Her electric bill was $30 less than mine. Go figure.

I was in California the first week of July -- you know, the state that's having an energy crisis and rolling blackouts. All the people I talked to had combined gas, electric and water bills less than $100! Then I find out Las Vegas had a blackout while I was gone. It looks like I'm going to have to move back to California, where I can afford to pay my utility bills.

NANCY C. RIVERA

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