The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power Board of Commissioners is expected Tuesday to discuss proposals to help people struggling with high utility bills after a heat wave baked Southern California for much of the summer.
Mayor Karen Bass on Monday called for an independent audit of LADWP rates and urged the commissioners “to deliver immediate and comprehensive relief on energy bills for ratepayers facing sharply higher charges.”
“Angelenos are opening bills they did not expect and cannot afford, and they need relief now,” according to a statement from the mayor. “Last week, I directed the Board of Water and Power Commissioners to consider measures to save customers money and ease the burden of unexpectedly high electric bills. I have reviewed the board resolution and we can do more.”
Los Angeles City Councilwoman Nithya Raman, who is running against Bass to become the city’s next mayor, called for an independent audit of LADWP’s rate structure and billing last week.
Liz Garcia, a spokeswoman for Raman’s campaign, said Monday that Angelenos should be outraged that it took the threat of losing an election, along with pressure from Raman, for Bass to act on the issue.
“She’s had four years to scrutinize LADWP costs, hold her appointed commissioners accountable, and demand answers about rising bills. Now, in the final week of the campaign, she’s asking taxpayers to pay outside consultants for an audit after cutting the budget of our elected Controller’s Office,” Garcia said.
Garcia said City Controller Kenneth Mejia is calling for adequate staff to audit LADWP regularly.
“Why has the mayor refused to fund the independent oversight Angelenos already elected the controller to provide? Angelenos struggling to pay their bills deserved urgency and action long before the Mayor’s own job was on the line,” Garcia added.
Meanwhile, Bass’ campaign criticized Raman, noting the councilwoman voted to raise trash collection fees in 2025. The City Council voted 11-2, with members Monica Rodriguez and Adrin Nazarian opposing the fee increase. Bass also signed the ordinance.
Bass’ campaign alleged that Raman failed to act to overturn power and water rate changes that came before the Board of Water and Power Commissioners.
In addition to the audit, Bass wants the board to increase LADWP’s energy efficiency rebate program by 25%.
“These requests build on the steps I have already taken: allowing LADWP customers to pay only what they can afford and stopping all shutoffs through the end of the year,” Bass said. “Beginning next month, LADWP will provide every residential customer with more detailed information about their electricity and water usage, so they can see how they use these utilities and how to conserve. LADWP is also expanding outreach to ratepayers to promote bill assistance programs, including Lifeline, EZ-Save and Level Pay.”