LADWP Risks Throwing Away Stimulus Funds
One reason why the economic stimulus fell short is that government agencies given the funds didn’t use them.
Federal stimulus funds were intended to boost the economy, but they can do that only if they are spent.
One of the most promising programs was the Home Star Energy Retrofit Act, informally known as the Cash for Caulkers Program. It was designed to help homeowners cut their energy bills while funding green jobs.
Venice’s utility company, the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power, was scheduled to weatherize more than 800 homes across the city by April 30 of this year, but despite spending $2 million, LADWP had upgraded only 78 homes by that date, the Los Angeles Times reported.
A subsequent federal inspection of four of the homes showed that in 75 percent of them, the upgrades were minimal, producing little in the way of energy savings.
“This program will ultimately serve as a state and national model,” said Joe Ramallo.
Right. California could be forced to forfeit more than $37 million of the stimulus funds, unless agencies like the LADWP pick up the pace of the work and actually spend the federal money on increasing our energy efficiency.
Risking the loss of millions of dollars is unconscionable when the LADWP intends to raise its rates.
This is yet another reason why it’s important that the mayor appoint a ratepayer advocate for the LADWP as soon as possible.
What is your opinion of LADWP, Venice's utility?
Tell us in the comments.
Barney Fife 303
8:50 am on Friday, July 22, 2011
What kind of dope ties spending stimulus money to rate increases, then thinks that the ratepayer advocate will be anything other than another highly paid politician to pass the buck to? LADWP has a job to do in that it needs to have the infrastructure to deliver water and power. Spending stimulus money diverts its people from their primary duty and has little to no effect on rates.
Paul M. J. Suchecki
4:37 pm on Friday, July 22, 2011
With a rate increase pending, it’s important to cut energy use where possible, including through the cash for caulkers program. The rate payer advocate was a position established to argue for the interests of those who actually pay the bills at LADWP including those whose homes aren’t being weatherized fast enough, and might not be weatherized at all if the stimulus funds are forfeited.