Jooish

Skyrocketing LADWP Bills Become Major Issue in Los Angeles Mayoral Race Outrage over skyrocketing Department of Water and Power bills is now spilling into the Los Angeles mayoral race, with residents reporting bills doubling or tripling following the summer heat waves. Mayoral challenger Nithya Raman is accusing Mayor Karen Bass's administration of allowing hidden rate increases through DWP adjustment charges, claiming these now account for more than two-thirds of electricity costs. Bass's office disputes the criticism, pointing out that Raman herself voted for increases last year. LADWP blames extreme heat and increased air-conditioning use, which pushes customers into more expensive billing tiers. However, critics point to rising electricity rates as another major factor. As LA Scoop reported yesterday, City Controller Kenneth Mejia has promised an investigation as the issue becomes a growing political headache ahead of November's mayoral election.