LETTERS: NV Energy clouding solar issue

To the editor:

I recently signed up to lease a solar power system for my home. It was not what I wanted to do, but it was the only way for me to dodge the ever-rising electric bills from NV Energy.

I wanted to buy my own system, to get the tax breaks and all the other rebates, along with significant savings on my electric bill. Unfortunately, I was unable to do so, but that’s just fine. I will still be saving a lot monthly, and I will be exempt from NV Energy’s constant rate increases.

I find it interesting that NV Energy is crying foul about those of us who are just tired of paying its rates (“Review proposed for rates of homeowners who install solar systems,” June 16 Review-Journal online). It seems to me that NV Energy would be happy as clams. We are decreasing the need for peak power generation. We are reducing NV Energy’s costs of maintenance on its infrastructure and even making it easier for the company to meet the federal government’s new requirements regarding coal-fired power plants.

When NV Energy forced me to get a new smart meter, that was the last straw. I look forward to lowering my thermostat, running my pool all day and leaving lights on when nobody is in the room.

I want everyone to understand what is happening. Utility companies are being forced to generate more of their energy with renewable sources. This costs a whole lot more than coal or natural gas. The added costs are passed on to the consumers, just as candidate Barack Obama promised when he first ran for president. He said energy costs would have to rise significantly, and he was right.

With all of the conservation I have done, my bill still continues to go up and up. I have spent tons of money on new, more efficient appliances and light bulbs, followed everyone around turning off lights and guarded the thermostat with a vengeance, yet the bill still goes up.

I believe that if those on the Nevada Public Utilities Commission allow NV Energy to raise our usage fees, then they are as corrupt as the rest of our politicians.

NICHOLAS P. GARTNER

HENDERSON

Hobby Lobby decision

To the editor:

Well, the U.S. Supreme Court, in its Hobby Lobby decision, ruled that some businesses can be exempt from parts of the Affordable Care Act’s contraception mandate on religious grounds. Apparently, despite five justices voting against her, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg didn’t agree with the decision.

Justice Ginsburg’s ranting failed to produce a valid argument to support her view. Perhaps she does not practice an organized religion and does not realize how important faith and the constitutional guarantee of religious rights are to many people. Or possibly she does not recall how many able-bodied males 18 or older were able to opt out of mandatory military service for reasons of religious belief.

But the most ridiculous words against the Hobby Lobby decision came from the White House, picking hypothetical numbers as to how many women would have their health care compromised by failure to receive free contraception. Perhaps this statement was made my someone who may not understand that an insurance plan might pay for such drugs or procedures if a physician deems them medically necessary.

The Supreme Court is not denying any women the right to use contraception, but rather states that on religious grounds, closely held corporations such as Hobby Lobby shouldn’t have to pay for and provide certain types of birth control. If a company wants to have its insurer include those types of birth control in the policy it offers, as a bargaining chip for recruiting employees, fine. Personally, to keep premiums down, I would like to see insurers provide more comprehensive coverage for serious disease management.

So far, Obamacare has been somewhat of a joke, with only a fraction of the population signed up compared with what had been anticipated, and most of those people are paying significantly more than expected for the insurance — except of course, those whose premiums are subsidized (which we all pay for). However, the Obama administration has a way of dangling a carrot in front of working people. Its job-killing attack on business is making us more and more dependent on government, and its stand on the contraception issue is a perfect example

ROBERT LATCHFORD

HENDERSON

Thanking firefighters

To the editor:

In this politically charged climate, I would like to mention something that’s important to my wife and I. I am 80 years old and have been in reasonably good health, until an episode last month. On June 18, my wife found me on the floor in a pool of blood. She immediately called 911, and in less than five minutes, four paramedics from the Clark County Fire Department were at the door taking care of me.

Just as important, they assisted my wife, who was badly shaken.

I don’t recall anything that day until I woke up in transit to a hospital in an ambulance. These men were typical firefighters who, if you thanked them later, would say they were just doing their job. I totally disagree. They were saving my life. As far as I’m concerned, they are my heroes.

I thank all of these firefighters and paramedics for their service to all the people of Las Vegas.

DONALD H. STEINBOCK SR.

LAS VEGAS