Photo by countess of maybe via LAist Featured Photos on Flickr Today, our computer is not about to explode like it was for the past two days in the sweltering heat. "The National Weather Service forecast highs for Thursday of between 69 and 79 near the Los Angeles County coast, 86 to 94 inland, 84 to 94 in the San Fernando Valley, 87 to 92 in the San Gabriel Valley, 88 and 93 in......

One day of fall heat was bearable, but two days of heat and citizens just don't care anymore. Damnit, they're turning on the AC. From the DWP at 5:18 p.m. today: "Customers' energy use hit a new record today of 5,709 megawatts, shattering the previous record of 5,123 megawatts set Oct. 2, 1991. On Tuesday, energy use reached a peak demand of 5,533 megawatts, marking a record demand for fall and the fifth highest September......

As temperatures reached high temperatures today, the LA Department of Water & Power announced spiked energy usage by residents this afternoon and is urging energy conservation. "Any time energy demand exceeds 5000 megawatts we need to begin conserving wherever possible, while not jeopardizing anyone's health or safety," said David Nahai, LADWP General Manager and Chief Executive Officer, in a e-mail notice. The DWP expects demand to reach up to 5500 megawatts. Has anyone run over......

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Department of Water & Power is under the microscope after City Council members are angry over a lack of transparency with multi-million dollar contracts with companies he worked with. DWP claims an "ethical wall" was put around him in order to make sure the contracts were not influenced or otherwise tainted by Raman Raj. But elected officials were not too happy when the LA Times was informing them......

The city's Energy and the Environment Committee met this morning and passed a water waste crackdown plan, making way for a full city council approval, which will likely occur in September. "The 'drought busters' plan crafted by the Department of Water and Power seeks to punish residents who water their lawns between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., car owners who wash their cars without 'shut-off devices' on their hoses and restaurants that serve water without......

For six weeks, ex-LA City Beat writer Alan Mittelstaedt has been trying to get a hold of DWP's CEO and General Manager's personal water bills, something that must be released by law within 10 days of request. The reporter was ready to bring the DWP to court, but before that, the Daily News printed a story about Nahai's bills but left out the backstory on why Nahai was all of the sudden releasing this info.......

Ex-LA City Beat writer Alan Mittelstaedt (known as the LA Sniper) might sue the LA Dept. of Water & Power General Manager and CEO David Nahai over a California Public Records Request violation -- Nahai won't give up his personal water bills for his 6,012-square foot Benedict Canyon mansion. Mittelstaedt thinks the bills will show Nahai's lifestyle is opposite the one his department preaches: sustainability and green. "We’re in ongoing discussions with DWP’s attorneys and......

What the LA Department of Water & Power is saying today during the heatwave: "Yesterday's energy peak reached 5856 megawatts, and was the second highest load in June. Today's peak demand is expected to reach or exceed the record of 6165 megawatts, set on July 24, 2006. While the LADWP has enough power to meet the city's needs, extraordinary demand during prolonged hot temperatures puts a tremendous strain on the city's electrical distribution equipment. Customers......

With temperatures soaring past 100 degrees in the Valley and with other parts of Los Angeles feeling sticky, it's no surprise that energy use spiked yesterday. "The energy peak topped out at 5509 megawatts, making it the second highest June load on record," stated an LA Department of Water & Power press release from today that "urges" residents to conserve energy. "The record load for June is 5531 megawatts, set on June 28, 2006. The......

Photo by Zach Behrens/LAist The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power says that most households in Los Angeles use between 30-40 percent of water outdoors and in some neighborhoods located in zones with warmer temperatures or with homes on larger lots, households use as much as 70% of their water outdoors. And after a hot weekend, this weekend looks to be much cooler and wetter. "Now is the time for customers to cut......

"The energy demand we are seeing is unprecedented, and it's only May," said David Nahai, LADWP CEO & General Manager, in a statement today, which is the second one regarding the same issue in less than thirty days. "We urge our customers to start cutting back their energy use now and to be ready for continued hot temperatures as we enter the summer months... It's incumbent upon all L.A. residents and businesses to look at......

Last week I texted my friend Dals to see what she was doing for the evening. "Chillin' at home, smokin' hookah. My power went out," she responded. I texted back, "Ahaha you loser," and then I thought about just how much it sucked being her. On Monday afternoon, I arrived to LA from Las Vegas and was greeted by a sweltering apartment. I don't have A/C. Usually it's not cold inside my place, but fans......

As Guest Day Editor, Siel, a.k.a Green LA Girl, will be joining LAist with a few posts throughout today. Read her interview here and check out her site. Going eco often automatically helps you save money, basically cuz you waste less -- gas, water, electricity, etc. But LA's a city that gives away free stuff to help you go eco. Here's 5 to take advantage of: Free energy-saving fridge! If your income's low and you......

Talk about thorough. This press release from the Mayor's office on Wednesday about water reduction goes on and on, but in a good way. It is concluded with tips, two of which that stuck out to us: 2. Use a Broom, Not a Hose to Clean Your Driveways and Sidewalks. The last time we spoke to a Street Use Inspector, this was illegal anyway. You are not allowed to put trash and debris into......

We're as stunned as Laura Chick at the news that the LA DWP -- the tidy acronym for "Department of Water and Power" -- was buying bottled water for its offices, even as it spent a half-million dollars to promote how safe and delicious its tap water is to drink. We love it when the LA Times does local news like this. Just how much water does $31,160 buy over two years? Records show......

The power is out. It has affected downtown, south Los Angeles, west Los Angeles and parts of the Valley. According to KCAL 9's news coverage, LA DWP says it is a mechanical failure at two of their receiving stations and the loss of power may be a result to some of the failsafes in place to protect those stations. Electricity is returning to some areas now. Traffic appears to be rough throughout the city......