Letters to the editor for Wednesday, March 9, 2016

Two issues with net metering

The Feb. 27 Nevada Appeal article “Opponents to net metering regulations sue to block referendum” spoke of the need to change laws by initiative, not by referendum.

There are two issues with Nevada’s SB 374 net metering changes.

First, it made new solar installations uneconomical. Second, it allowed, but did not mandate, changes to existing solar installations.

Pre SB 374 law capped roof top solar at 3 percent, thus not creating a burden for non-solar rate payers. Rooftop solar was encouraged by the PUC, the governor and NV Energy. Solar installations were very expensive.

Nevada’s 17,000 solar installers spent about $680 million of their own money. Present law doesn’t need to change to protect existing solar customers, only a PUC decision is needed.

Other states are working on plans to grow clean energy with fairness to all. Instead of expensive, time consuming lawsuits, we need leadership from the governor and fairness from the PUC.

Alex Echo

Carson City

Americans need to cut back on sugar

Did you know Americans drink more than half of their daily caloric intake in sugar sweetened beverages every day? Did you know that just one serving of soda a day equals 15 extra pounds a year? Sedentary lifestyle does not make one obese. Poor diet does. Added sugar does.

Just last year we saw the very first case of a 2-year-old girl who developed type two diabetes purely by diet. We have an epidemic of obese 6 month olds, and we are raising the first generation that will die before their parents. Just last year American Girl Doll offered a new accessory, the diabetes kit for $24. If that doesn’t say complacency at its best, I don’t know what does. It isn’t gluttony, it isn’t sloth, it’s the sugar.

As the state’s capital, we have the duty to set a positive example, we are the bar, and we need to set it. Medicare is slated to be bankrupt by 2024 by chronic metabolic disorders caused by an unhealthy diet and overconsumption of sugar. With prevalence set at more than 75 percent of men and 67 percent of women now considered overweight or obese, do we really want to be complacent with setting this example for our kids and grandkids? Do we really want to be bystander to our children’s health? To our grandchildren’s health?

We need to start discussing school food reform, implementing soda taxes, and hosting health expos or fairs with speakers from all over America.

Cora Vanwolf

Carson City