We Need a Ratepayer Advocate

Ratepayers of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power are caught in a crunch. According to a 2008 study, the American West’s current drought is caused by global warming due to the greenhouse gas emissions of fossil fuel burning.

Yet LADWP’s city mandate to get 35 percent of its energy from renewable sources by the year 2020 will cost a bundle. Venice residents can expect to pay more for both water and power in the years to come.

LADWP Commissioners are the utility’s ultimate governing authority. At many meetings I’ve watched the deliberations of the all volunteer board. Former Commissioners including city council candidate Forescee Hogan-Rowles, attorneys Lee Canon Alpert, and David Nahai, seemed sincere in trying to balance the needs of the DWP with the citizens of L.A. who own it and pay the bills.

Measure I on the March 8 ballot allows L.A. voters the opportunity of creating a position of ratepayer advocate for LADWP. It would be loyal to one constituency, the utilty's customers. As LADWP faces an increasingly difficult set of decisions in the years to come, its 4.1 million customers deserve an unequivocal voice for their interests in the process.

Vote to establish the position of rate payer advocate with a Yes on  I .