LADWP General Manager Ronald O. Nichols announced the seven regional Community Collaboration Sessions in the San Fernando Valley, East Los Angeles, West Los Angeles, South Los Angeles, and the Harbor area beginning June 15th at Valley City Hall. A summary session to share findings from the sessions is scheduled for July 20 at LADWP’s downtown headquarters.  Additional meetings, online webinars, and other sessions will be held over the course of the next two months to gather more input.

The announcement followed Nichols’ presentation on the Department’s challenges, financial outlook, priorities and policies Saturday, June 4th to nearly 200 customers and stakeholders at a hearing of the Los Angeles City Council Energy and Environment Committee together with the five members of the Board of Water and Power Commissioners held at City Hall.

“On behalf of the Board of Water and Power Commissioners, I invite any and all customers concerned about the future of water and power in our City to attend these meetings to learn about the serious challenges facing the department, and provide input that will be considered by the Board prior to making any decision about future water and power rates,” said Thomas S. Sayles, President of the Board of Water and Power Commissioners.  “We want to provide clear information on our costs, respond to questions and concerns and gather input that will be considered during the rates development process, well before any decision making begins.”

“Changes occurring to the water and power industry globally, nationally, and in the state of California, are unrivaled since the Industrial Revolution and LADWP is at the epicenter of this change. During the collaboration sessions, we will share with our customers the challenges we face, the basic costs to keep providing reliable and safe water and power, and present options and get input on strategic investments that will strengthen reliability and reduce impacts on the environment,” Mr. Nichols said.

Among the biggest challenges facing the LADWP are new legal requirements and an aging infrastructure that must be replaced to maintain reliable water and electric service.

During the community input sessions, participants will have the opportunity to break into small groups, led by independent facilitators, to learn more about the legal mandates, policies and other basic costs as well as strategic investments being considered and what they would cost.

Following are the dates and locations of the Community Collaboration sessions:

• East San Fernando Valley:
  Wednesday, June 15, 6:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.
  Marvin Braude Constituent Center (Van Nuys City Hall)
  14410 Sylvan Street
  Van Nuys 91402
• West San Fernando Valley:
  Thursday, June 16, 6:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.
  Holiday Inn – Warner Center
  21101 Ventura Boulevard
  Woodland Hills 91364
• North San Fernando Valley:
  Saturday, June 18, 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
  Los Angeles Mission College
  13356 Eldridge Avenue
  Sylmar 91342
• East Los Angeles:
  Monday, June 20, 2011, 6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
  Boyle Heights Technology Youth Center
  1600 E. 4^th Street
  Los Angeles 90033
• South Los Angeles:
  Tuesday, June 21, 6:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.
  California African American Museum-Exposition Park
  600 State Drive
  Los Angeles 90037
• West Los Angeles:
  Wednesday, June 22, 6:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.
  Stephen S. Wise Temple
  15500 Stephen S. Wise Drive
  Los Angeles 90077
• Port of Los Angeles:
  Monday, June 27, 6:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.
  Crowne Plaza Los Angeles Harbor
  601 S. Palos Verdes Street
  San Pedro 90731
• Summary Session- Downtown Los Angeles:
  Wednesday, July 20, 6:30 – 9 p.m.
  LADWP Headquarters, A-Level
  111 N. Hope Street
  Los Angeles 90012

###