Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2001 | 10:05 a.m.
Concerning the recent lack of power to pump fuel to Las Vegas Valley:
There are a number of stand-by turbine generators around the world that are available on a short-term rental basis that could more than adequately service the pumps for the fuel lines coming to the Las Vegas Valley.
These are completely self-contained units in 40-foot vans that can be set up in a matter of hours and will burn kerosene or diesel.
If the lead-time to put one in place by surface transportation is too long to be of immediate use, and if the same fuel lines also service Nellis Air Force Base, the generator set could be declared a military priority and air-lifted by a C5A. If not, Russia has even larger aircraft available for charter.
I do not believe the pipeline operator has the proper incentive to take this initiative, as the same percentage mark-up on fuel with a higher selling price will produce more profit for them.
JOHN MOISEVE
archive
