💡 Tell LADWP: Erase Utility Debt! 🔌

No one should have to go without water and power, especially during a pandemic.

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Friends,

With offices closed and Safer-At-Home orders in place, Angelenos are using more utilities than ever to keep themselves and their families safe. Los Angeles' moratorium on utility shutoffs has been a crucial first step to providing all Angelenos consistent access to water and power. But we need a plan for what will happen when the moratorium is lifted to avoid a wave of utility disconnections for low-income Angelenos.

No one should go without water and power, especially during a pandemic.

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) is the largest public utility in the country. It is owned by the people and should serve its ratepayers—especially during a public health crisis.

That's why RePower LA is calling on LADWP to create a COVID-19 Utility Debt Relief Program. This program would:

Erase utility debt for ratepayers enrolled in the LADWP Low-Income program, Lifeline program, or a PayPlan throughout the COVID-19 crisis.
Improve outreach for existing equity-based programs and the Utility Debt Forgiveness program to address historic under-enrollment and increased eligibility of many Angelenos due to COVID-19.
Invest in utility justice to reduce the widespread unaffordability of LADWP bills for low-income communities of color as part of Mayor Garcetti’s Executive Order 27. Make long-term investments in justice-oriented rate-setting and equity programs.
Ensure resources for the COVID-19 Utility Debt Forgiveness Program do not come at the expense of the essential workforce of the LADWP or any existing low-income programs.

Sign the petition

Last week, City Council President Nury Martinez introduced a motion asking LADWP to report to the City Council with a debt relief and forgiveness program for low-income ratepayers. Her motion includes bill stabilization for low-income ratepayers to stop the debt from rising, based on a percentage of their monthly income.

Utilities are especially necessary during this combined pandemic, heatwave, and economic crisis.

Will you sign this petition to urge LADWP staff to work with community stakeholders to create a utility debt forgiveness program within 30 days that reflects our community demands?

In Solidarity,

Agustin Cabrera
Campaign Director, RePower LA

LAANE is a leading advocacy organization dedicated to building a new economy for all. Combining dynamic research, innovative public policy and the organizing of broad alliances, LAANE promotes a new economic approach based on good jobs, thriving communities, and a healthy environment.