Letter: Electricity bill already too high

Friday, Jan. 25, 2002 | 4:08 a.m.

I was particularly struck by Jeff German's Jan. 20 column regarding Nevada Power and the enormous power bills Las Vegas residents are already paying, with no relief in the foreseen future.

I live on a fixed Social Security disability income in a mobile home that is 20-plus years old, with little insulation. The air conditioner rarely shuts off during the intense summer heat. I also have an oxygen converter that runs 24 hours a day, which requires more power. I have to have this to live. Add to that the power necessary for normal day-to-day life (hot water heater, refrigerator, electric lights, etc.) and it's a real problem. I realize that my situation is not unique and that there are plenty of others who find themselves in much the same situation I do. For three straight months this past summer, my power bills were more than $400 for each month, almost $1,300 in 90 days. I believe this to be outrageous enough, without another increase.

We are told we need to show up at meetings to protest the Nevada Power rate increase. Why? That has never prevented a rate increase before. Maybe I have misunderstood the purpose of the Public Utilities Commission ... that it was to be a watchdog to keep unnecessary increases from occurring. If that is their purpose, why do we need to attend meetings? Should the commission not represent our interests ... or is it just there to "second the motion" Nevada Power makes?

NANCY HARDIN