Group formed to fight for Question 14

Erica D. Johnson

Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2002 | 9:26 a.m.

A group of Las Vegans Tuesday vowed to "fight tooth and nail" to ensure that utilities such as Nevada Power are government owned.

Citizens for Yes on Question 14, the political action committee formed in favor of the question that asks voters if public agencies should be allowed to take over privately owned utilities, held a news conference Tuesday at the government building. Question 14 will appear on the November ballot.

Chairwoman Peggy Maze Johnson said the committee wanted to announce its formation and its "staunch resolve to see this question passed."

Question 14 supporters Mayor Oscar Goodman and Clark County Commission Chairman Dario Herrera, along with about 10 members of the Culinary Union, attended.

"Nevada Power is conducting a campaign of misinformation," Johnson told a small crowd of about 30. "Nevada Power has come to the table a little too late. We thought Question 14 was a no-brainer. Most people are for public power."

The question is an advisory measure only. If passed, voters will be asking the Legislature to consider changing existing state laws that prohibit government entities from taking over private companies, such as Nevada Power, without their consent.

The Southern Nevada Water Authority has offered to purchase Nevada Power, a subsidiary of Sierra Pacific Resources, for $3.2 billion.

Question 14 supporters say the initiative would take power out of the hands of Nevada Power executives and shareholders and save Nevadans up to 20 percent on power bills.

Opponents say a takeover won't guarantee rate cuts. They say the SNWA doesn't have the money to finance such a takeover and that if rates were cut, customers would pay through taxes or bonds.

"I certainly support Question 14," Goodman said. "I always want to know what the voters think. Anyone who would fight against that is nuts. It's un-American."

Herrera said when going door to door campaigning for Nevada's 3rd Congressional District, he asks voters if they support a 20 percent reduction in power bills. They respond with a resounding yes, he said.

"I'm appalled by the arrogance of Nevada Power executives in their attempts to suppress the will of the people in Nevada," he said. "The only certainty with Nevada Power is higher and higher rates. Nevada Power needs to be held accountable directly to the people who pay these bills. Enough is enough."

But opponents said that by concentrating on the decrease in rates, Question 14 supporters are misleading voters. They said the ballot question doesn't address legitimate questions about revenue losses and possible property tax increases.

"All we've heard so far is we'll reduce rates by 20 percent," Carole Vilardo, president of Nevada Taxpayers Association, said. "That's fine but for how long? How do you guarantee this reduction and for what period of time?"

Vilardo said more information should accompany the ballot.

"Voters need to know how revenue loss to other governments will be taken care of," she said.