LADWP to Host Community Meeting to Discuss Rates ProposalCustomers and Stakeholders Invited to Attend In-Person or Online via Webinar |
LOS ANGELES—The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) invites customers and interested stakeholders to participate in a Community Meeting about the proposed rate increase this Wednesday, July 22, 6 p.m. at the LADWP’s John Ferraro Building, 111 N. Hope Street in Los Angeles. LADWP General Manager Marcie Edwards will lead staff in explaining the five year plan to invest in infrastructure. All who are interested may attend in person or participate via live webcast.
LADWP is proposing water and power rate changes over the next five years that would provide funding to accelerate the replacement of aging infrastructure, better protect against drought conditions, and meet water and power supply mandates while improving customer service. The proposed rates are also designed to further incentivize conservation while keeping LADWP’s rates low in comparison with nearby utilities. The utility presented its proposal to the Board of Water and Power Commissioners on July 8, launching a four-month community engagement and public outreach effort. The proposed rate changes will provide steady, gradual increases to invest in infrastructure and better ensure the reliability and sustainability of water and power supplies in L.A., while giving customers the tools to save and manage costs through expanded water conservation and energy efficiency programs. LADWP officials emphasize that investing in the city’s critical pipes, poles and other water and power infrastructure pays off in reducing main breaks and power outages. LADWP water main leaks are less than half the state average, and have decreased by 37% over the past seven years with the proactive replacement of older, more vulnerable pipes. But LADWP’s cycle of replacement is still too slow and more pipes are getting older at a faster rate. LADWP needs to ramp up replacement of this and other infrastructure to minimize disruptions for its customers and save water. On the Power side, additional revenue is also necessary to upgrade and replace aging infrastructure. Even though LADWP’s reliability is among the best in California, 45% of LADWP’s 320,000 poles are over 60 years old, which is the average design life of a power pole. In addition, LADWP will eliminate the use of coal power in the next 10 years to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, expand renewable energy to 33% of power sales, increase energy efficiency to reduce electricity use by 15%, and rebuild coastal power generating stations to eliminate ocean water cooling. The new power revenues will allow LADWP to continue the transition of its power supply to comply with goals and mandates. To learn more about LADWP’s Rates Proposal, visit www.myLADWP.com. To watch a short video about the rates proposal, visit www.MyLADWP.com or visit LADWP1 on YouTube. To RSVP for this event or to watch the live stream, go to www.myladwp.com/community_briefings.
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