Issue 1 - July 2023

Welcome to the first issue of The Juice: Our Energy News, a bi-monthly digital newsletter focusing on LADWP’s energy-related programs, projects and policies that are creating a clean and equitable energy future and ensuring a reliable power supply for Los Angeles.

Project PowerHouse Amps Up Affordable Housing

LADWP Board President Cynthia McClain-Hills, center, attended the opening of the Dolores Huerta Apartments in South Los Angeles in April. Also pictured are Conway Collis (left), President and CEO, The Mayor’s Fund for Los Angeles, and Deborah La Franchi (right), Founder & CEO, SDS Capital Group.

Responding quickly to L.A. Mayor Karen Bass' emergency declaration of a state of emergency on homelessness, LADWP launched Project PowerHouse to streamline access to electrical services for 100% affordable housing builders. By simplifying, streamlining and accelerating the process, Project PowerHouse expedites the construction and renovation of 100% affordable housing projects to help meet Mayor Bass’s Inside Safe goals. LADWP has cut the affordable housing development review, engineering, and construction timeline by an impressive 86% since Project PowerHouse was approved by the Board of Water and Power Commissioners in March 2023. In addition, under Project PowerHouse, LADWP covers the cost of public right-of-way infrastructure improvements previously paid by affordable housing developers, saving builders significant costs they can invest to expand their affordable housing offerings citywide. Mayor Bass renewed the emergency declaration on homelessness on July 10.

The recent opening of the Dolores Huerta Apartments in South Los Angeles is a prime example of nearly 150 new 100% affordable housing complexes benefiting from Project PowerHouse. LADWP Board of Water and Power Commissioners President Cynthia McClain-Hill joined Mayor Bass, Councilmember Curren Price and guests at the apartment complex grand opening ribbon cutting ceremony. Board President McClain-Hill further underscored the huge importance of Project PowerHouse in helping to address homelessness in L.A. when she spoke to attendees of the US Green Building Council – Los Angeles Annual Conference & Expo on May 18 at The Beehive in South L.A..

LADWP Board President Pushes for Energy Equity

at 2023 NREL Industry Growth Forum

LADWP Board President Cynthia McClain-Hill delivered a strong message to clean energy investors to "Lead with Equity" during her powerful keynote address at the 2023 National Renewable Laboratory (NREL) Industry Growth Forum (IGF) on May 2 in Denver. The event brought together hundreds of investors from across the nation in clean energy technologies. McClain-Hill stressed the importance of leading with equity to ensure disadvantaged communities are not left behind as LADWP transitions to 100% clean energy. Following completion of the NREL-led Los Angeles 100% Renewable Energy Study (LA100), LADWP engaged NREL and the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs to undertake the LA100 Equity Strategies Study, a comprehensive research assessment expected to be published and unveiled later this summer. “LA100 Equity Strategies is a unique, transformative, and industry-leading undertaking to ensure that our transition to clean energy is equitable as well as reliable,” McClain-Hill said.

Read President McClain-Hill's Speech

Read NREL Story

Watch LA100 Equity Strategies Video

Read the News Release

LADWP Completes Priority 1 Safety Repairs

LADWP quickly completed work on about 670 power poles, cross-arms, and other overhead electrical equipment that were identified as needing immediate "Priority 1" safety-related repairs. The deaths of a Panorama City father and daughter, who were electrocuted after coming into contact with a downed electrical wire, was a tragic wakeup call that LADWP needed to overhaul the inspection, tracking and reporting, and method for prioritizing work on damaged poles and other overhead electrical equipment in need of repair.

While engaging in a coordinated citywide effort, utilizing an average of 30 crews daily to clear the backlog of "Priority 1" repairs, LADWP sought to raise public awareness of potentially dangerous electrical equipment through hand-delivered notices, social media, and an online interactive map of "Priority 1" projects updated daily while the work was underway.

In the News: Read this story about LADWP's Cool LA program and rebates that help ensure equitable access to air conditioners at home to keep customers safe during extreme heat

Read the Article

Lineman's Rodeo: A Day of Camaraderie and

Competition for Electric Lineworkers

LADWP and IBEW Local 18 hosted the annual L.A. Lineman’s Rodeo on May 20 at the Truesdale Training Center in Sun Valley. For over 30 years, LADWP has hosted the competition to showcase the unique skills and safety training of electrical distribution maintenance workers as well as encourage comaraderie, friendship and family fun.

This year's event featured 22 journeymen-level and 22 apprentice-level lineworker teams from nine utilities across the Western United States. Watch this short video about the Rodeo. To learn more about becoming a lineworker, visit LADWPcom/jobs.

View Rodeo Results

LADWP Breezes Ahead with More Wind Power

LADWP took a significant step toward achieving 100% clean energy for Los Angeles by extending an agreement with the Southern California Public Power Authority (SCPPA) for approximately 262 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy from a major wind farm in the Pacific Northwest. That amount of green power will serve more than 116,000 Los Angeles homes and offset nearly 230,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions annually, equivalent to removing more than 52,300 gas-fueled cars from the road each year. LADWP’s action will support upgrading the existing wind turbines to extend their lifespan at a reduced price, expected to save about $72.3 million over four years.

Read Pres s Release

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