LETTERS: Solar owners lose on net-metering bill

To the editor:

Last week, the Assembly approved a net-metering compromise (“Assembly panel OKs compromise for solar power users’ net metering,” May 26 Review-Journal). Senate Bill 374 has since passed and is on Gov. Brian Sandoval’s desk. Through that legislation, the issue would be sent to the Public Utilities Commission for its input and approval. The PUC will be tasked with setting a separate rate class for those who have solar panels that produce power for their homes and send excess power they produce back onto the grid for NV Energy to sell.

I see many problems with this. The rates for a home with rooftop solar should be no different than any other home; I will still use power created by NV Energy after the sun goes down. I see this new rate class as being higher than what other users pay.

So why should I, or anyone else who has rooftop solar, pay a higher price? Because NV Energy has lobbyists in Carson City, and the bottom line is making profits for the energy company. I sell NV Energy power my system produces, and NV Energy in turn resells it to me and other users.

Now, NV Energy and other power companies say rooftop solar is hurting them, and financially, it is, because they are losing a huge amount of money from customers who have or are going to solar power. So how does a typical company that is losing profits stop the bleeding? It makes cuts in personnel, cuts wages to workers (but not the executives, of course) and tightens up belts as you and I do when our wages are cut and everything gets more expensive.

However, instead of doing that, NV Energy goes to its people in power and says, “We need more money,” hence SB374. Mark my words: Because the electric companies got exactly what they asked for years ago (you and I going solar) and profits are down, prices will start going up more than the annual cost increase.

SCOTT HIPPERT

LAS VEGAS

Building freeze

To the editor:

I agree with William Becker’s letter that there needs to be a moratorium on building and housing developments in order to conserve water (“Water-saving solution,” May 16 Review-Journal). We continually read about Lake Mead being at record-low levels.

The lake is now at 37 percent of capacity, yet Las Vegas is on track to build hundreds if not thousands of new homes and businesses. At what point will it become a crisis? When the lake is at 20 percent, or 10 percent? Even the new intake project is only a Band-Aid fix.

I also agree with Jeffrey Dawkins’ letter (“Start naming names,” May 18 Review-Journal). It’s time to make the politicians accountable, since they appear to be more under the influence of homebuilders, rather than standing for common sense and what’s good for Las Vegas in the long run.

MICHAEL RITTER

LAS VEGAS

Cartoon swap

To the editor:

Why is it that letter writers such as Ray Byrom emerge to criticize the inclusion of “Mallard Fillmore” on the comics page? (“Move ‘Mallard Fillmore,’” May 20 Review-Journal). Many are likely opposed to the comic poking fun at many of our liberal political figures.

Perhaps these people do not recall a comic strip appearing in many major publications called “Doonesbury,” in which author Garry Trudeau felt it permissible to hold open season on conservative politicians, with little objections raised. Some current thinkers feel criticizing liberals borders on sacrilege.

A possible solution would be for the Review-Journal to revamp its format by moving “Mallard” to the editorial page, in exchange for political articles appearing on the comics page, where they belong.

ROBERT LATCHFORD

HENDERSON