Letter: Make executives of utilities pay

Thursday, July 12, 2001 | 8:39 a.m.

The utility rates in Las Vegas and Clark County are increasing rapidly with no relief in sight. Should the responsibility be the ratepayer or the executive personnel of these monopoly organizations?

The ratepayer is subject to all rate increases levied by executive supervisory personnel, yet cannot reprimand them for their actions. They are high-salaried executives with experience and foresight to adjust to all so-called shortages and high costs for their products. However, it is easier to request rate increases through the Public Utilities Commission to cover their blunder, and solves no problem.

The past 10 years an estimated 3,000 to 4,000 new people per month moved to Las Vegas and Clark County, eventually becoming ratepayers. Prior to and during this period the utility companies had many, many, many rate increases granted by the PUC. Will it ever end? Ratepayers need action and relief.

Should the utility management executives' performances be reviewed? My present statement was increased more than 100 percent compared to last month's statement. Was the ratepayer responsible for this increase?

Executives in the private sector are constantly on the hot seat; they survive, correct and eliminate technical problems without a fast fix, price increase or a PUC.

JOSEPH E. BIDER