LETTERS: NV Energy frustrates businesses of all sizes

To the editor:

I read Sean Whaley’s article on Switch’s effort to leave NV Energy and was left feeling a little anxious, to say the least (“Panel doesn’t let Switch abandon Nevada Power,” June 11 Review-Journal). The Public Utilities Commission vote was a small setback for Switch and the hotel-casinos trying to buy their way out of NV Energy, but they are far from giving up on their plan to exit NV Energy’s grid.

I represent thousands of small business owners who will likely see much higher rates if these megacompanies leave. But I also understand their frustration. Like many of my friends in the small business community, the change in ownership at NV Energy has likely made the company more obligated to send money back to Omaha, Neb., to increase profits for Warren Buffett and his shareholders.

The difference between the big casinos and data centers and small business owners is that small businesses can’t do anything about the constant squeeze on their pocket books from increasing energy costs — be it from electricity rates or at the gas pump. Small business owners also can’t afford high-priced lawyers or multimillion-dollar buyouts.

What I found particularly concerning was the point raised by Matt Maddox of Wynn Resorts. He said NV Energy saw a profit increase of nearly 28 percent between 2013 and 2014, yet to my knowledge, there were no rate cuts for customers. Maybe that is why Switch and other big companies are frustrated and looking for alternatives.

For the sake of small businesses — which are the major job creators in this state — I hope the PUC keeps in mind the impact the exit of any company from NV Energy will have on the small business owner and residential users when it discusses later next month NV Energy’s integrated resource plan.

RANDI THOMPSON

RENO

The writer is Nevada’s state director of the National Federation of Independent Business.

Competition in education

To the editor:

I disagree with Sheila Morse’s letter (“Private school funding,” June 16 Review-Journal). She wrote that “there is absolutely no reason to supply funding to private schools in any category.” It’s wishful thinking to believe that public schools would improve if only they had better funding.

Ms. Morse seems to favor continuation of the near-monopoly that public schools have had in K-12 education, even though the dismal failure rate of those schools has gotten worse year after year. With no competition, there is no incentive to improve. Speaking from more than 60 years of classroom teaching from elementary through college levels, I can say that more private schools and more home-schooling will provide competition — and a greater incentive for improvement — in public schools than will a massive increase in funding.

OWEN NELSON

LAS VEGAS

Splitting up CCSD

To the editor:

I find it interesting legislators who have most likely never been in a classroom, except as a student, have the answers to how to fairly deconsolidate the Clark County School District (“School district split in works,” June 12 Review-Journal). Good luck to that committee of “experts” who will figure out how to make things equal and fair for all.

Haven’t we already visited this possibility just a few years ago? Maybe the committee members this time will have more insights and answers, but I truly doubt it.

ADA MARIE JENSEN

LAS VEGAS