LADWP Continues Public Outreach on Utility Rates Process

New Online Survey, Webinars for Business and Residential Customers and Additional Public Meetings to be Held This Month as LADWP 2011 Rates Customer Outreach Continues

To provide customers and stakeholders with the opportunity to participate in the rates process online, LADWP today launched an online survey and announced that it will hold business and residential focused webinars on July 20^th so customers can participate in the rates process from their home or office without having to attend a workshop in person.

The online survey provides key information on the challenges facing the Department, basic business needs and strategic investment options. Survey participants can complete the survey in about 10 minutes or opt for a more in-depth review by first watching a video presentation before ranking the importance of each of the seven potential strategic investments in water and power that the Department is considering including in a final rates proposal. To take the survey now, click here.

Two online webinars, hosted by General Manager Ronald O. Nichols and representatives of LADWP’s Water and Power systems, will also be held this month. The first, for business customers, will take place on Wednesday, July 20th from Noon – 1:30pm and the second, tailored for residential customers, will occur later that evening, July 20th from 6pm to 7:30 pm. To register for a webinar, click here.

Additional community and stakeholder meetings on the rates process to be held during the month of July include presentations and discussion before the Greater Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, Valley Industry & Commerce Association (VICA) and a community meeting hosted by Los Angeles City Councilmember Tom LaBonge at Hollywood City Hall for residents of Council District 4. A workshop for customers who live in the Owens Valley and receive electric service from LADWP will also be held in Bishop, CA.

Earlier this week, on Wednesday July 6th, LADWP hosted its second workshop for commercial customers in Van Nuys. The commercial customer session was followed that night by a special meeting for Neighborhood Councilmembers that lasted nearly four hours. A presentation to members of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce occurred on Thursday, July 7.

The additional customer outreach comes following nearly a month of outreach already conducted by the LADWP as part of its 2011 rates process. The effort kicked off on June 4th with a presentation to the Board of Water and Power Commissioners and City Council Energy and Environment Committee attended by over 100 customers and stakeholders.

On June 15th, the LADWP launched a series of eight regional collaboration sessions, which consisted of 2 ½ hour meetings, facilitated dialogue and comment and a dedicated website, www.ladwp.com/LAForward, where customers can visit, learn about the rates process, watch a video presentation, sign up for alerts and updates and submit comments to both the LADWP and to the future Ratepayer Advocate.

Following are the LADWP Rates Outreach Meetings and Events for July 2011:

July 6:             Business Customer Collaboration Session
July 6:             Neighborhood Council Collaboration Session
July 7:             Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Presentation
July 15:           Valley Industry & Commerce Association Presentation
July 18:           Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce Presentation
July 18:           Owens Valley Community Collaboration Session
July 20:           Commercial Customer Webinar
July 20:           Residential Customer Webinar
July 25:           Council District 4 Rates Workshop
July 28:           Wrap Up Session

For a detailed schedule and location of outreach meetings and events, and to learn more about the LADWP 2011 Rates Process, please visit www.ladwp.com/LAForward.

To take the online survey, click here.

To register for a webinar, click here.

To sign-up for 2011 Rates Public Involvement Alerts and Updates, click here.

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