LA Mayor Bass Halts Utility Shutoffs Amid Soaring Bills
Mayor Karen Bass has ordered a pause on utility shutoffs through the end of the year for Los Angeles residents struggling with increased electricity and water costs.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass announced a directive to halt utility shutoffs for residents unable to pay their bills through the end of 2026. The move comes in response to skyrocketing utility rates, exacerbated by record heat, which have placed a significant financial burden on Angelenos.
Bass stated that no customer of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) who is unable to pay their residential bill will have their electricity or water disconnected for the remainder of the year. "Running our air conditioners has been a necessity, and for too many Angelenos, the resulting increase in utility bills is a real burden," Bass said in a statement. "Angelenos need swift relief, and I am taking concrete action to provide it."
The mayor advised customers to pay what they can afford in the interim. This action follows concerns raised by local businesses, such as the nearly century-old Canter's Deli, which warned of potential staff reductions after its LADWP bill surged by nearly $10,000 in four months, reaching over $34,000.