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LADWP Applauds U.S. Senate Approval of Hoover Power Allocation Act

LADWP Applauds U.S. Senate Approval of Hoover Power Allocation Act

Bill Will Continue Delivery of Low Cost, Hydroelectric Power to Los Angeles Through 2067
LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) took a major step forward in its efforts to continue to receive its allocation of clean, low cost hydroelectric power generated at Hoover Dam when the United States Senate approved the Hoover Power Allocation Act,  S. 519 authored by Senator Harry Reid, yesterday. The bill, which previously passed the U.S. House of Representatives on October 3, allocates and expands the availability of emission-free hydroelectric power generated at Hoover Dam.

“Approval of the Hoover Power Act by the US Senate is great news for the 1.4 million LADWP customers who rely on Hoover Dam to receive low cost, hydroelectric power. When it becomes law, the act will guarantee power to Los Angeles for the next 50 years and continue to ensure affordable energy prices in Los Angeles, keeping businesses competitive,” said Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. “This bill will not only result in substantial savings to Los Angeles ratepayers, it will also help to integrate additional clean energy into the City.”

“I would like to thank Senators Harry Reid and Dianne Feinstein for their tremendous leadership in seeing this important legislation through for California and Los Angeles,” said LADWP General Manager Ronald O. Nichols. “Hoover Dam provides about 6-8 percent of our city’s power, so our stake in this act is significant. To have a new contract through 2067 provides us important certainty on this critical, emission-free portion of our power supply.”

LADWP has received power from Hoover since 1937 and proudly operated Hoover Dam for its first 50 years. At approximately 2.5 cents per kilowatt hour today, Hoover Dam is a clean source of low-cost power that is critical to advancing LADWP’s clean energy portfolio, while supporting the City’s aggressive renewable energy commitments. LADWP uses the hydroelectric power generated at Hoover Dam to support the Department’s integration of renewable energy resources, such as wind and solar power that must be backed up with quick-starting power when entering LADWP’s vast transmission system.

Mr Nichols added, “Our long-term history of involvement in Hoover Dam shows LADWP’s early commitment to clean power for Los Angeles. Generations later, we are fortunate to be able to depend on this reliable energy source as we navigate the complex sea change to an even greater share of environmentally friendly resources. The value of the Hoover Power Allocation Act’s passing cannot be underestimated. It is a major accomplishment that will benefit Los Angeles and LADWP for generations to come.”

LADWP today receives on average 441 megawatts of capacity and 602,000 megawatt hours of energy from Hoover Dam.

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