LADWP Board to Vote on Bill Relief as Mayor Demands Audit

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power Board of Commissioners will vote on proposals to lower customer bills on Tuesday, a move prompted by Mayor Karen Bass after residents reported unexpectedly high charges. The meeting comes as Bass pushes for an independent audit of the utility's rates and a 25% increase in the energy efficiency rebate program. The board is also set to discuss measures to ease the financial burden on ratepayers facing sharply higher charges.

Customers who have spoken to reporters say the recent spike has strained household budgets. Krista Parry reported receiving a water and power bill for $1,400, more than double her previous invoice. She stated she expected the bill to be between $600 and $800 during the hot season. LADWP placed her on a payment plan, which she described as better than nothing but still a substantial unexpected cost.

Micah Reed, who launched a Change.org petition called "Cap the Heat Tax" after receiving a $3,300 bill, plans to attend the meeting in person. Reed called for an independent audit and changes to how customers are charged during the hottest months. He argued that an audit alone does not lower bills and urged the board to vote in favor of rate relief for summer tiers.

Mayor Bass issued a statement on Monday urging the commissioners to deliver immediate and comprehensive relief. She noted that Angelenos are opening bills they did not expect and cannot afford. Bass directed the board to consider measures to save customers money and ease the burden of unexpectedly high electric bills. She stated that LADWP will provide residential customers with more detailed usage information starting next month to help them conserve.

The mayor also highlighted that LADWP is expanding outreach to promote bill assistance programs, including Lifeline, EZ-Save, and Level Pay. She previously allowed customers to pay only what they can afford and stopped all shutoffs through the end of the year. Bass said these requests build on steps already taken to support ratepayers.

Los Angeles City Councilwoman Nithya Raman, who is running against Bass for mayor, called for an independent audit of LADWP's rate structure and billing last week. Liz Garcia, a spokeswoman for Raman's campaign, said in a statement that Bass had four years to scrutinize LADWP costs. Garcia argued that the mayor is now asking taxpayers 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.

The Tuesday 10 a.m. meeting agenda also includes presentations on El Niño preparedness and hydroelectric system modernization. The board will vote on energy efficiency and water conservation programs. LADWP said a board resolution would be heard at the meeting but did not provide a comment on the mayor's audit proposal. Bass's campaign pointed out that Raman voted to raise trash collection fees in 2025, a measure that passed the City Council 11-2.