Pickel facing immediate challenge

Fred Pickel last month was named ratepayer advocate for the Department of Water and Power, which now can seek higher rates. (Photo Courtesy of Kevin Mapp)
For the man nominated as Los Angeles' first-ever utility ratepayer advocate, the challenges are already mounting. Melissa Pamere in the Daily News.

On Tuesday, utility consultant Fred Pickel faces his first confirmation hearing to be executive director of the Department of Water and Power's Office of Public Accountability.

The next day, the City Council is slated to consider an "emergency" water rate increase - the first in a queue of major utility rate hikes expected to soon be proposed by the DWP.