Las Vegas Sun

November 8, 2009

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Letter: Power rate increases are rubber-stamped

Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2001 | 9:42 a.m.

I very much appreciated Ruthe Deskin's Aug. 30 column, "New Nevada Power motto: 'Charge!':

It is rumored Nevada Power is seeking other slogans such as, "Considering our exorbitant rates, we can afford to drive you to the poorhouse," or "Just cut off the air-conditioning, old-timer, and we'll provide transportation to the nearest funeral parlor -- without extra charge, to prove we are all heart."

As far as the "Universal Energy Charge" is concerned, that's a Catch-22 situation. If you are rich or are in business, you pay the bill and pass the costs on to your customers. If you are poor, you can't afford a lawyer to get an injunction to stop this obvious form of taxation, so you stand still while your pockets are being picked.

Which brings us to a pertinent question: Why does the Public Utilities Commission appear to rubber-stamp the power company's rate increases without verifying the need or insisting they put into action cost-cutting procedures that would eliminate the constant demand for rate increases? Just asking.

RAY MARSCHALK SR.

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