Council confirms DWP nominees and approves Sun Valley plant upgrade; members press for consumer protections and local mitigation

The Los Angeles City Council confirmed nominees to the Board of Water and Power Commissioners and approved a related energy ordinance and project items after questioning nominees about state energy-market developments and reviewing an update on Sun Valley Generating Station improvements.

Council members confirmed the DWP nominees by roll call (14 ayes) after questions about the Mojave Desert power-plant sale, state Independent System Operator authority and the utilities’ role in protecting ratepayers. Councilman Holden repeatedly raised concerns about past decisions to sell generation assets and urged nominees to be independent and to protect city ratepayers.

Nominee Mary Leslie said her government experience at the state, federal and city levels would help add value to the board and she expressed agreement with the council’s intent to maintain “clean water and power at a reasonable price.” An earlier nominee (name not specified in the public portions of the transcript) described experience in regulated businesses and said the board should work with council members and constituents to ensure reliable, affordable service.

Separately, the council considered a Commerce, Energy and Natural Resources Committee ordinance and related items tied to power-plant upgrades, including work at the Sun Valley Generating Station and other integrated resource plan (IRP) items. Henry Martinez, assistant general manager for power at the Department of Water and Power, told the council staff that the repower and retrofit work would increase operating capacity by roughly 220 megawatts while keeping overall emissions “equal to or less than what we have now.” Martinez said the South Coast Air Quality Management District (the local air-permit authority) is lead agency for permits.

Martinez also said the department had identified about $1 million in commitments for nearby community improvements tied to earlier facilities-plan discussions; the department plans to meet with council staff and community stakeholders in the coming weeks to identify specific projects and hoped to begin construction on the retrofit work near the end of the year. DWP said it would provide an IRP status update and an emissions report to the council in about a month.

On the Mojave sale and related governance concerns, Councilman Holden criticized previous votes that favored asset sales and warned nominees to be vigilant. Other members emphasized the council’s ability to assert jurisdiction over DWP actions that raise concerns and noted that the council and mayor would continue oversight.

The ordinance and committee report on energy matters passed on council vote (recorded 13 ayes) and was sent forthwith per the committee chair’s request. The DWP nominations were confirmed by separate roll call (14 ayes).