Photo by neonspecs via LAist Featured Photos Pool on Flickr

The LA City Council today voted to postpone a vote on proposed DWP fee hikes until April 2nd.

Citing the need for widespread infrastructure upgrades that would ideally prevent customers from losing power when the demand is high, for example in summer's probably heat waves, the DWP is looking to increase "base power rates by 8½ percent and water rates by more than six percent in July of next year," according to abc7.com.

The extra revenue would allow the DWP to spend the cash needed "for electrical and structural upgrades." Although rising costs of living are becoming more and more commonplace across the board, the importance of upgrading ailing and aging systems and providing customers with reliable service is at the forefront of the DWP's concerns. DWP's GM David Nahai is quoted as saying their "infrastructure is between 40 to 70-years-old."

So before it costs you more green, maybe you should try to be a little more green and conserve your power; your bill could be 40% lower!