The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) has been making headlines for all the wrong reasons, as residents grapple with staggering utility bills following a summer of intense heat.
Reports of eye-popping charges and mounting frustration over electricity costs have prompted calls for answers; and now, Mayor Karen Bass is announcing measures aimed at helping Angelenos struggling to pay.
In a statement issued Tuesday, October 20, Bass acknowledged that rising utility costs are adding to the financial pressures facing residents, alongside high gasoline prices, grocery costs and broader inflation.
“Running our air conditioners has been a necessity, and for too many Angelenos, the resulting increase in utility bills is a real burden,” Bass said. She added that air conditioning is essential for seniors and people with health conditions, particularly during periods of extreme heat.
The mayor outlined four steps intended to provide relief to residential customers.
First, LADWP customers are being encouraged to pay what they can afford toward their current bills. Second, Bass said she has asked the LADWP Board to pause utility shutoffs through the end of the year for customers facing higher bills following the record heat. According to her statement, residential customers unable to pay their bills will not have their electricity or water disconnected for the remainder of 2026.
Beginning next month, LADWP will also provide residential customers with information about their electricity and water consumption. The initiative is intended to help residents better understand their usage and identify opportunities to conserve resources and reduce future bills.
Bass also encouraged customers to enroll in LADWP’s Level Pay program, which averages utility bills over 12 months to make monthly payments more predictable. Low-income seniors and qualifying households were encouraged to explore the department’s Lifeline and EZ-SAVE programs.
“No Angeleno should have to choose between staying cool and paying their bills,” Bass said.
The announcement comes as residents face the financial impact of increased electricity use during recent heat waves. The proposed shutoff pause and other measures are intended to help households manage utility costs as Los Angeles enters the cooler months.
