Council approves settlement over Mojave power stake with reporting requirement; members debate environmental and supply risks

The Los Angeles City Council on Nov. 27 approved, as amended, a settlement agreement that settles the city's contested bargaining over its interest in the Mojave power project and requires the Department of Water and Power (DWP) to provide periodic compliance reports and an assessment of the facility after roughly 18 months.

Background and vote

The ordinance before the council implements a negotiated settlement tied to existing contract language and the exercise of a first right of refusal by other project participants. Council members debated environmental cleanup obligations, the city's future power supply risk, and whether retaining a stake would help assure cleanup and preserve dispatchable power in the region.

An amendment requiring the DWP general manager to report periodically on consent-decree compliance and to return in approximately a year and a half to reassess the facility passed (roll call recorded as 13 ayes for the amendment). The final ordinance as amended passed on the council floor by a vote of 10 ayes and 3 noes.

Key figures and testimony

Brian Darcy (introduc…