LADWP Board Weighs Bill Relief Measures

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power board meets Tuesday at 10 a.m. to review proposals for customer relief.

Mayor Karen Bass requested an independent audit of utility rates on Monday. She also urged commissioners to provide immediate relief for ratepayers facing sharply higher charges. The mayor stated that residents are opening bills they did not expect and cannot afford. She directed the board to consider measures to save customers money and ease the burden of high electric bills. Bass said she reviewed the board resolution and concluded the department can do more.

Customers have reported substantial increases in recent months. Krista Parry received a water and power bill for $1,400, more than double her previous invoice. She expected a bill between $600 and $800 during the hot weather. Parry said the utility placed her on a payment plan. She described the charges as unexpected and a strain on her household budget. Micah Reed launched a Change.org petition called Cap the Heat Tax after receiving a $3,300 bill. He plans to attend the meeting to call for an independent audit and changes to summer billing practices. Reed said an audit does not necessarily lower bills but is a step forward.

Bass wants the board to increase the energy efficiency rebate program by 25%. She noted that the department is allowing customers to pay only what they can afford and stopping all shutoffs through the end of the year. Starting next month, LADWP will provide residential customers with detailed information about their electricity and water usage. The utility is also expanding outreach to promote bill assistance programs including Lifeline, EZ-Save, and Level Pay.

City Councilwoman Nithya Raman, who is running against Bass for mayor, called for an independent audit of LADWP rates last week. Liz Garcia, a spokeswoman for Raman, said the mayor should have acted earlier. Garcia stated that Bass had four years to scrutinize costs and hold appointed commissioners accountable. She criticized the decision to pay outside consultants for an audit after cutting the budget of the elected Controller's Office. City Controller Kenneth Mejia is calling for adequate staff to audit LADWP regularly. Garcia said residents deserved urgency long before the mayoral election.

Bass's campaign responded by noting that Raman voted to raise trash collection fees in 2025. The City Council passed the fee increase 11-2. Members Monica Rodriguez and Adrin Nazarian opposed the measure. Bass signed the ordinance increasing the fee.

The Tuesday agenda includes a presentation on El Niño preparedness. It also covers hydroelectric system modernization and reliability improvement programs. The board will vote on energy efficiency and water conservation programs. LADWP said a board resolution would be heard during the session. The meeting can be viewed online.