Participating in a press conference with Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Tuesday, June 15, Mr. Beutner said the new business discount is designed to support a proposed Citywide Business Tax Holiday” to encourage new businesses to open in Los Angeles, creating additional revenue and good paying jobs.

“The Department of Water and Power has an important role to play in attracting businesses to locate in Los Angeles,” Mr. Beutner said. This program will make locating in Los Angeles even more attractive.”

The plan would provide discounts of up to 25% for new customers. In the next 30 days, LADWP staff will present a detailed plan to the Board of Water and Power Commissioners for its consideration and approval.

Mr. Beutner said the discount for new customers should not impact existing customers because of LADWP’s size and the fact that so many of its costs are fixed. “As the nation’s largest municipal utility, our customer base is big enough to accommodate new business customers with this type of discount. And ultimately, this program may create savings in the future since there will be more customers to share in those fixed costs.”

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