Ratepayer advocate confirmed

After an 11-month wait, Los Angeles has its first ratepayer advocate, a position tasked with reviewing Department of Water and Power rate increases to weigh in on whether they are truly needed. Melissa Pamer in the Daily News.

The City Council approval of Fred Pickel to fill the new watchdog post came on the same day a council committee recommended an emergency request from DWP for a water rate hike of 2.9 percent.

Pickel is an energy expert and consultant who had been selected from about 60 candidates earlier this month by a citizens committee.