Brief
Los Angeles mayor pauses utility shutoffs amid soaring bills
Bass also urged residents to use LADWP’s Level Pay program and explore assistance options.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass announced a citywide pause on electricity and water shutoffs for residential customers through the end of 2026, citing record heat and sharply rising utility bills.
In a statement, Bass said she directed the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) to ensure that no customer who cannot pay their residential bill will lose service for the remainder of the year. She added that running air conditioners has become a necessity and that the resulting bill increases are a “real burden” for many Angelenos.
Starting next month, LADWP will provide every residential customer with detailed information about their electricity and water usage to help them understand consumption patterns and identify ways to lower costs. Bass also encouraged residents to enroll in the utility’s Level Pay program, which spreads payments over 12 months for more predictable budgeting, and to consider the department’s Lifeline and EZ‑Save assistance programs, which target low‑income seniors and households.
The move follows reports of dramatic bill spikes, such as the nearly $10,000 increase in four months for Canter’s Deli, a 100‑year‑old Fairfax District establishment, which has begun turning off air conditioning in one dining room during overnight hours to save energy. Co‑owner Marc Canter told the California Post that labor is the only controllable expense, while LADWP said the deli’s electricity usage remained flat and suggested a possible water leak, a claim co‑owner Jacqueline Canter rejected.
Other residents have reported similar surges. A San Fernando Valley resident posted a $3,300 LADWP bill online, prompting City Controller Kenneth Mejia to launch an investigation. Mejia told CBS LA that the city has already submitted a large data request to understand the scope of the problem.
California already has the nation’s highest electricity prices, averaging 27.63 cents per kilowatt‑hour in 2025—more than double the national average of 13.63 cents.
Key facts
- Mayor Karen Bass ordered a pause on electricity and water shutoffs for residential customers through the end of 2026. (nypost.com)
- LADWP will provide usage information to all residential customers starting next month. (nypost.com)
- Bass urged enrollment in LADWP’s Level Pay program and use of Lifeline and EZ‑Save assistance. (nypost.com)
- Canter’s Deli saw a $10,000 increase in its LADWP bill over four months, prompting partial AC shutoffs. (nypost.com)
- City Controller Kenneth Mejia launched an investigation after a resident received a $3,300 bill. (nypost.com)
Sources
- [1] nypost.com — originally reported as “Karen Bass takes drastic action over LA customers’ skyrocketing utility bills”
