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[ LOS ANGELES ](https://www.citywatchla.com/los-angeles)
# Ratepayers Deserve Better
July 16 2018
Written by Mitch O’Farrell.
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**GUEST COMMENTARY**--Many residents in the 13th Council District were affected by a loss of power in last week’s extreme heatwave coupled with inadequate communication from the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP).
I want detailed answers explaining exactly how this happened.
LADWP customers deserve a full accounting of the circumstances that led to the power outages, details of the infrastructure upgrades currently underway, and what measures are in place to prevent widespread outages in the future, especially in the era of climate change.
I sent a letter to LADWP General Manager David Wright requesting he present a comprehensive report to the Los Angeles City Council to address the concerns and frustrations of many. You can read my letter to him [here](https://cd13.us14.list-manage.com/track/click?u=32add81e332280199b8bb94df&id=01666f76ba&e=cb3ac8d9fc), and I will keep you posted on when the department comes to Council to discuss the issue.
In the meantime, if you need safe shelter during the heat this weekend, please visit [this page](https://cd13.us14.list-manage.com/track/click?u=32add81e332280199b8bb94df&id=3492a054cc&e=cb3ac8d9fc) to find a cooling center near you.
*(Mitch O’Farrell is Los Angeles Councilmember for the 13thDistrict.)*
*-cw*
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