LA Mayor Bass on Oct. 26 calls for outside independent audit of LADWP rates and immediate bill relief
Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California — Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass on Oct. 26 called for an independent audit, outside city government, of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power's rate structure, and urged the LADWP board to immediately provide comprehensive relief to residents facing steep electricity bill increases. Bass said many residents open their bills to unexpected, unaffordable numbers and need relief now, not later. She had already instructed the LADWP board last week to consider measures to save customers money, but after reviewing the board's resolution concluded more could be done.
Her specific asks include: the audit should explain how rates are calculated, justified and billed, assess the cost of service, and review rate design to promote long-term affordability and prevent sudden bill spikes; the audit process must be fully transparent and include community stakeholders and taxpayer advocates. LADWP should also offer enrollment incentives for its unified payment plan and consider automatic enrollment so households are not caught off guard by bill shocks, and raise its energy-efficiency rebate program by 25% to cover more upgrades such as cooling systems, efficient windows and appliances. The LADWP board will meet on the morning of Oct. 27 and act on the proposals.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 洛杉矶市政厅，CC BY-SA 4.0，来源 Wikimedia Commons
