Wait, the love isn't flowing for the Los Angeles Department Water and Power, with their excellent and responsive customer service, their easy-to-read bills, and their ever-increasing rates? Yep. Not so much. The LADWP has been ranked by Business Insider as #13 out of the #19 most-hated companies in the nation. Ouch. more ›

We're paying more--in some cases a helluva lot more--for just about everything we use these days, according to the OC Register. The Consumer Price Index for the Orange County-Los Angeles-Riverside shows a bump in the cost of food, gasoline, transportation, utilities, education, and even apparel. more ›

Clean-tech firms seek to reuse a variety of rare, potentially toxic materials. New businesses emerge as manufacturers prepare for modules' end of life. In recent years the electronics industry has gained notoriety for creating an endless stream of disposable products that make their way at life’s end to developing countries... more ›

A stream that serves rare wildlife in the San Gabriel Mountains dried up this week after a local utility company diverted the water away for a pipe test. That prompted the U.S. Forest Service to send a cease and desist letter to Lincoln Avenue Water Company, according to the Pasadena Star-News. more ›

Angelenos are reacting to the hotter temperatures today by using more energy. So much, in fact, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power sent out a note urging conservation. "Any time energy demand exceeds this level we need to begin conserving wherever possible, while not jeopardizing anyone's health or safety," said Raman Raj, LADWP Chief Operating Officer. "Saving power not only conserves energy but also reduces the possibility of strain on power system infrastructure." Today, energy demand reached 5,268 megawatts. Tomorrow, when temperatures will exceed 100 degrees in the Valley, it's expected to reach up to 5,600. more ›

If true, this would please many Angelenos exasperated with AT&T service (how many Verizon veterans experience more dropped calls than ever now that they're with AT&T? Why does data not come through on the Sunset Strip?). more ›

Yes, an electric rate hike was recently approved, but now a water one is on deck. "The Department of Water and Power wants customers to pay up to 8 percent more for water to fund millions of dollars in improvements to the utility's aging water pipes and pumping stations under a budget presented Tuesday," according to the Daily News. Under the plan, customers who fall under Tier 2 -- that means you use a lot of water -- could pay 8% more. Those who fall under Tier 1 could see a 3 or 4% increase. A 4% uptick would mean the average bi-monthly bill of $67.77 would go up $2.71. more ›

Arizona power commissioner Gary Pierce's challenge to Los Angeles, saying the city should stop receiving power generated in his state because of its boycott, is really picking up steam. Now a poll posted on MSNBC asks this: "Should Arizona have the right to pull the plug on L.A. if the city goes through its boycott?" more ›

In 2008, a study of citywide temperatures classified Los Angeles into two categories. Zip codes with an average daily Summer temperature less than 80 degrees (Zone 1) and ones that were more than 80 degrees (Zone 2). The point was to give hotter areas of the city a little break on electricity bills when a new structuring plan went into effect. more ›

When we hit the voting booth on June 8th, we'll be faced with a handful of props. One of those you've probably seen commercials for on TV already -- you know, the ones that have the slogan "Protect Your Right to Vote." It's about letting the people decide if government or private businesses give new areas electricity service. Considering the recent LADWP drama, many in L.A. might want to side with the private sector, but the "right to vote" angle might not be what it's about. more ›

When it comes to L.A. and complaints about communication utilities, it's usually about AT&T cell phone service or Time Warner Cable's internet outages. Today, all the rage on Twitter this afternoon is about T-Mobile... as in how no one can make a call in Los Angeles region (gosh, we hope no one needs to call 911). more ›

Was the approval of a rate hike last week temporary or not? Many are confused, even some councilmembers, and it's bleeding into media reports (even we've been confused). So after discussions within city hall, here's what we know. more ›

After the recent debates over renewable energy put Los Angeles into a position close to bankruptcy, a study released today says Los Angeles could garner 500 megawatts, or 3% of its energy needs, for $23 million a year with solar panels within Los Angeles. The plan would take 10 years. According to the report (.pdf), which was published by the Los Angeles Business Council and the UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's recent plan only proposed 150 megawatts of local solar power. more ›

The dramatic saga over Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's carbon surcharge plan was halted last night when the Los Angeles City Council late last night unanimously voted to reject the second rate power rate hike in two weeks. By state law, any changes to... more ›

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's plan to raise electricity rates to build L.A.'s renewable energy portfolio to 20% by the end of the year and avoid a downgrade in LADWP's bond rating was rejected by the City Counil today. Next Tuesday, the council's Energy & Environment Committee will discuss rate hike recommendations that should be considered in the second version of the plan. A motion by Councilmember Richard Alarcon will also be discussed. His 12-point proposal includes transparency in the process, fairness to customers, protecting businesses, allowing for hardship exemptions and other factors to consider when increasing green power. more ›

During a Thursday meeting of the L.A. City Council Energy and Environment committee, members learned of the Department of Water & Power's plans to increase electricity rates by 37% over the next four years, according to the LA Times. Part of that includes Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's carbon surcharge, which could up customer's bills by 9% to 28% to increase the amount of renewable energy used in the city to 20% by the end of 2010. more ›

As expected, former Vice President Al Gore praised Mayor Villaraigosa for his carbon surcharge, which would, in part, move Los Angeles to be using 20% renewable energy by the end of this year. The plan, which the Mayor says will only increase bills a few bucks for the majority of residents, was approved by the Board of Water and Power Commission last week. more ›

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has warned L.A. City Councilmembers that if the recent LADWP electricity rate hike approved by Water & Power board members last week is denied by them, the city could be facing bankruptcy. “Council rejection of the DWP board’s action [to increase rates] would be the most immediate and direct route to bankruptcy the city could pursue,” said the report he sent, which was obtained by the LA Times. more ›

Your LADWP electricity bill will likely be increasing April 1st to help the nation's largest municipal utility cover its bills and build its renewable energy portfolio, thanks to a unanimous vote yesterday by its board. The vote affirms a 0.8 of a cent per kilowatt hour increase that can only be denied by the Los Angeles City Council if it chooses to--and it will--assert jurisdiction over the manner (note that the council only has power to deny board moves, but not the ability to tweak language or rates). more ›

Once again, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's vision of a clean energy city is coming under fire. It's not the goal--have L.A. powered by 20% renewable energy by the end of 2010--it's the how you get there part, says the Los Angeles Times in an editorial today. more ›

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa yesterday unveiled his plan to raise energy rates to make Los Angeles cleaner and greener by having the city powered by 20% renewables by the end of 2010. It goes without saying, it's a proposal rife with controversy. The Mayor touts that most Angelenos will only see a $2.50 increase a month, but there are those who remain doubtful about that claim. more ›

There's a lot of focus on the upcoming November election with the Governor's race, the possible vote on legalizing marijuana and other issues. But first we must make it through the June 8th primary election, which offers up five propositions. A few of them are going to be debated widely. more ›

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa certainly hopes so--after all, it's his publicly stated goal. And while that's been out there, behind the scenes, a surcharge is being talked about. If Angelenos pay up an additional $2.50 "carbon surcharge" a month, L.A. can be powered by 20% renewable energy like solar, wind an geothermal, according to the LA Times. By 2020, Villaraigosa wants the city to be off the coal-habit and at 40% renewable energy. A survey says 64% of Angelenos approve, do you? more ›

Why does the LADWP send two bills to customers--one for electric and one for water? Why do bills include unexplained code numbers? Why is internet banking and billing not encouraged to save paper? That's what Councilmember Jan Perry is asking in a motion that will be discussed in a hearing tomorrow during a committee meeting (.pdf). "The DWP should fully examine its billing procedures and seek improvements," she wrote. "The DWP may encourage greater efficiency in its billing system, including better understanding of the bills and related information by its customers, and a reduction in costs." more ›

Things have calmed down weather-wise (did you go for a hike yet?) and we're hearing of only a few areas without service. Southern California Edison, which experienced 676,587 outages last week, is only reporting down service in mountain and rural areas where lines are in rough terrain and other hard to reach areas. Lake Arrowhead, Blythe and Forest Falls remain without power, but should have it restored by tomorrow morning. More locally, the LADWP has not reported any outages via Twitter since Friday. more ›

Back in April of 2008 we remarked that the announcement of a new overlay area code--a code within an existing code area for use with new numbers when all previous numbers have been assigned--was "not a big deal." Okay, fine, so soon people in the 818 might have to accept a 747 area code, and everyone within the area would have to dial each other using all 10 digits. more ›

Considering the recent flooding in Studio City, a fire truck consumed into a Valley Village street and various other floods throughout the city--Melrose Ave., South LA, Exposition Ave.--Los Angeles Department of Water and Power officials said today that in order to repair the city's older infrastructure within the 7,200 miles of piping, they will ask the City Council to increase water rates, according to the LA Times. more ›

After major flooding in Studio City and a fire truck stuck halfway into the street in Valley Village, there is some hyperawareness regarding water main breaks. Two more water mains broke early this morning in the Mid-City area, which statistically means there should be about two more later today. That's because there are about 1,400 breaks a year, averaging out to four a day, according to the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power. Between 1:30 and 2:00 a.m. this morning, two breaks were reported. One on the 1400 block of Hi Point in the Fairfax/Pico area where about 50 customers are without water service, which should return by noon. There was no damage, but there was "a little mud on the street as a result of it," explained spokesperson Gale Harris over the phone. Further north near Fairfax and Beverly, another break occurred on the 100 block of Hayworth, affecting 30 to 50 customers. Harris said the department is investigating to figure if these breaks are related. more ›

[Update: After being ousted from his committee assignments later this morning, Duvall resigned from his post] Talk about scandal. In an exclusive, KCAL9 obtained a video of Orange County Assemblyman Michael Duvall (R-Yorba Linda) allegedly talking about at least two sexual relations beyond his marriage. Why would a 54-year-old man like Duvall be such a popular guy with the Sacramento ladies? Speculation leads to his position of power on the Assembly Utilities and Commerce Committee where he sits as Vice Chairman. more ›

The County of Los Angeles has gone ahead and busted themselves. "This is government at its worst," Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky was quoted saying in the LA Times. "We have a problem, no question about it. But we are going to move quickly to fix it." The county started auditing themselves after they found over 300 unused lines at the now-closed Martin Luther King Jr.-Harbor Hospital. The $1.5 million number only totals what they've discovered so far and it could double when they finish with 16,000 useless lines. Any savings is good news, especially in this economy, but the County has a long way to go. The $22.8 billion budget has department heads trying to cut as much as 13%. more ›