Las Vegas Sun

November 10, 2009

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Letter: Nevadans pay for utility’s blunders

Friday, July 13, 2001 | 4:17 a.m.

I feel I have to comment on the rolling blackout forced on Nevada residents by Nevada Power recently. Just prior to the blackout, Nevada Power was selling its excess power through contracts it had with some of our neighboring states, most notably with California.

At the same time, Las Vegas was undergoing some of its hottest days in recent history. To add to the problem, we had more demand on the system from newcomers to the valley and more industry developing in Southern Nevada. What would prompt any rational utility to sell off its excess power when the demand is at its highest?

After they realized they would have a shortfall on the day of the blackout, they had to turn around and buy power on the spot market at a higher rate. Is this just incompetence or just plain stupidity? Whatever it is, the average consumer will suffer with higher utility bills because Nevada Power just can't seem to get it right.

CLIFFORD L. MONETT

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