On Wednesday, October 14, as part of its monthly board meeting, the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council will sponsor a 30 minute discussion with the Department of Water and Power, moderated by GWNC Board Member Jack Humphreville, to discuss proposed increases in utility rates.
The Department of Water and Power is proposing to raise water and power rates by about 30% over the next five years. The $1.4 billion in new revenue would be used to improve the Water System’s infrastructure and water quality, and to fund the Power System’s energy efficiency program and the State mandated transition to renewable energy.
On an annual basis, power rates are expected to increase by 5% and water rates by 8%. While hefty, says Humphreville, the rate increases do not appear to be unreasonable, based on the information provided by the Department. However, the increases will also be reviewed and analyzed by the DWP’s Ratepayers Advocate, Fred Pickel.
Humphreville said that according to industry statistics, DWP has proven to be a reliable supplier of water and power. However, the Department and its Ratepayers are “burdened” by City Hall, which treats DWP as an ATM, costing Ratepayers over $1 billion a year in taxes, transfer fees, overly generous union contracts, highly restrictive work rules, and numerous “pet projects.” This rate hike will add to that burden by generating an additional $175 million in tax revenue for the City.
The GWNC is asking the public to review the presentation online prior to the meeting and to submit questions to be asked at the meeting by Monday, October 12, 2015, at 5:00 p.m. Please submit questions to ladwppresentation@
 will host a moderated discussion of proposed DWP rate increases at its October 12 board meeting.){kind=link}