DWP under fire

A proposed DWP rate hike is drawing an outcry from grass-roots neighborhood councils as the giant utility defends itself over recent power outages that left thousands of Los Angeles residents sweltering amid a summer heat wave. Daily News.

While Department of Water and Power officials are seeking a 9 percent boost to pay for upgrades to a rapidly aging electric system, a neighborhood council oversight panel is opposing the move and questioning the high pay of DWP workers and the limited time available to review the potential impact of a rate hike.

Members also wonder why a rate hike is needed when the utility transfers about $200 million each year to the city's general fund.