Letter: Public utility would serve citizens’ needs

Wednesday, April 3, 2002 | 8:43 a.m.

The Public Utilities Commission's approval of a $483 million rate increase request was a shameful reward for Nevada Power's blatant mismanagement.

Now it seems Nevada Power must choose between bankruptcy and an appeal through District Court. The appeal would presumably be based on the premise that the utility did not make imprudent decisions and requires the additional money to continue providing power, thus preventing power blackouts.

The threat of blackouts is an attempt to terrorize consumers into support for Nevada Power's outrageous mismanagement and subsequent need for rate increases. This should not be tolerated.

If Nevada Power files an appeal, opponents of its original $922 million request should counter with a demand that the $483 million rate increase be reduced to zero.

We (the consumers) should do everything we can to force Nevada Power into bankruptcy and install a public utility where citizens' needs come before profits. The prerequisite for consumer support for a public utility would be that all Nevada Power executives and upper level management be terminated. We have seen how a private utility company operates.

In general the positive aspects of public utilities outweigh the negative concerns.

DANIEL J. BELL