LADWP to debate $1,400 bills as Mayor Bass demands audit
Commissioners meet Tuesday to review relief measures and a 25% rebate increase amid customer complaints over summer rates.
By Hassan Lawson ·
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power commissioners are scheduled to meet Tuesday at 10 a.m. to discuss proposals for rate relief. Mayor Karen Bass requested an independent audit of utility rates on Monday, urging the board to provide immediate financial assistance to residents facing higher costs.
Customers have reported substantial increases in their monthly invoices. Krista Parry received a bill for $1,400, which she noted was more than double her previous charge. She expected the bill to range between $600 and $800 during the hot weather. Parry stated that the utility placed her on a payment plan after she contacted them.
Micah Reed, who received a $3,300 bill, launched a petition on Change.org titled "Cap the Heat Tax." Reed plans to attend the board meeting to request an independent audit and changes to billing structures for the hottest months. He described the current situation as customers feeling squeezed by utility companies.
Mayor Bass stated that residents are opening bills they did not expect and cannot afford. Her office said the mayor directed the board to consider measures to save customers money. The mayor also proposed increasing the LADWP energy efficiency rebate program by 25%. Additional steps include allowing customers to pay only what they can afford and stopping all shutoffs through the end of the year.
Beginning 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 such as Lifeline, EZ-Save, and Level Pay. LADWP confirmed that a board resolution would be heard at Tuesday's meeting.
City Councilwoman Nithya Raman, who is running against Bass for mayor, called for an independent audit of the rate structure last week. Liz Garcia, a spokeswoman for Raman's campaign, criticized Bass for acting only in the final week of the campaign. Garcia noted that City Controller Kenneth Mejia is calling for adequate staff to audit LADWP regularly.
Bass's campaign responded by noting that Raman voted to raise trash collection fees in 2025. The City Council voted 11-2 to approve the fee increase, with Monica Rodriguez and Adrin Nazarian voting against it. Bass signed the ordinance increasing the fee. The Tuesday agenda also includes presentations on El Niño preparedness and hydroelectric system modernization.
