LETTERS: Accountability, safety divider needed for beltway construction

This poor and deadly planning cheats the taxpayers. How many deaths will it take before someone feels even the slightest guilt? Monday’s accident wasn’t the first, nor will it be the last if someone is not held accountable. I hope a good lawyer sees this and makes the county pay for the loss of life.

Mary Aquino

North Las Vegas

MGM parking

Let me see if I have this right. MGM Resorts, in its divine wisdom, decides to build a 20,000-seat arena shoehorned into a small lot behind two of its hotels. The community is astounded there will be no parking added, because MGM says since there is so much parking available around the area, there’s no need for more. That was MGM’s story, and the company is sticking to it.

Now, as the arena’s opening date draws near, MGM announces it will be charging for parking at its properties and is now planning to build an additional parking structure (“MGM to charge for parking,” Jan. 16 Review-Journal). MGM might have been sticking to its story during construction and permit processes for the arena, but it sure looks like the company was sticking it to us instead.

I am a local who has spent much time and money at MGM properties. That will end when I have to pay to park.

Ken Gutstein

Henderson

Rooftop solar ruling

The back-and-forth slams between large, self-serving corporations and the 1.4 percent of the 1.2 million customers on Nevada’s power grid who are rooftop solar owners is ridiculous and childish. The real culprit is greed. NV Energy, Warren Buffett and the Public Utilities Commission have passed a new net metering rate that virtually wipes out the ability of individuals to make a choice on getting involved with environmental improvements. It is now out of reach for most consumers.

The point being missed is the condition of our environment and the condition we leave it for future generations. Our responsibility to preserve our natural resources and to protect the life-requiring elements of the water we drink and the air we breathe is a moral one. Greed has taken over, and the corporate people who try to impose their will on the masses are at it again, for increased profits and personal gain, regardless of the consequence.

Mr. Buffett, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, which controls NV Energy, already has billions of dollars. To try to stifle the solar industry so he can save a few more dollars is absurd. He should be ashamed. The new rate will end the innovation and continuing improvements to solar technology, which would be enhanced if more people could afford renewable energy. Allowing more companies to compete to provide better products is the American way. Utilizing natural sunlight plentiful in Nevada is the proper course.

To continue using gas-emitting hydrocarbons that aren’t even available in our state is ridiculous. It is our responsibility to make the right decisions for the right reasons. Innovation is not going to be free. There is a cost associated with new technology; the few pennies per kilowatt that NV Energy will have to absorb are well worth it. The lesson learned is that the fox watching the hen house can’t be trusted when money is at stake over the environment.

Carl Martin

Las Vegas