---

 [ VOICES ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=375)

#  Why Does LADWP Penalize For Using Less Electricity?

April 18 2022

Written by Matthew Hetz.

<a class="a2a_button_facebook"></a><a class="a2a_button_twitter"></a><a class="a2a_button_email"></a><a class="a2a_button_print"></a>[](https://www.addtoany.com/share)

GUEST COMMENTARY - For many years I was the primary caregiver for my Mom, who died in November, age 101.

Caregiving is very hard, and as she aged, the caregiving became much more difficult. But I consider myself fortunate that I had her as long as I did.

Caregiving requires a lot of resources, and as the person being cared for ages, more resources are needed.

Like many elderly she had falls, with some requiring a trip to the ER and hospitalization. She would get up at night and walk through the home, and to avoid falls lights usually turned off to save electricity burned through the night for her safety. While this used electricity, that amount of electricity used is much less than the electricity used for ER visits, hospitalizations, rehab and other actions of care for her health should she fall again. And, I certainly did not want her to fall.

Then there is the body slowly closing down. Seniors are often cold, so I would run the forced air heater more than I liked, but I wanted to keep my Mom comfortable and healthy.

On the LADWP bill there is the section, “Your Electric Usage by Tier.” This is a horizontal, rectangular box divided into three unequal parts: From left to right Tier 1 is the shortest box and the lowest electric use; Tier 2 is longer meaning greater electricity use; and Tier 3 for the greatest electrical use is the longest.

A solid colored blue bar showing electricity use runs left to right across the tiers in the middle of the horizontal box.

Leaving on lights throughout the night for my Mom’s safety, and running the heater for hours longer to keep her warm, caused the Electric Charges of the LADWP to go into the *Tier 2* box resulting in higher charges. I accepted that. But the blue line, the charges, went about one-quarter into the Tier 2 portion of the box, so I was not using a great amount of electricity.

With the death of my Mom, I no longer needed to run those lights all night. For years I have used energy efficient CFL and LED bulbs which are great savers of electricity, lowers the electrify bills, and reduces carbon gases used in generating electricity, so for the first bill after her death I expected a lower bill.

This happened with the first LADWP bill after her death, but I was confused by “Power Access Charge Tier 2” of $15.80 when my electrical use for the billing cycle was only in Tier 1. I thought this could just be a lapse in the infamous LADWP billing program and expected the “Power Access Charge Tier 2” would not be an issue next billing cycle.

I also turned down the thermostat and lived in a colder home to save electricity, and to save using natural gas whose price has greatly increased this winter. Life inside wearing sweaters and pullovers became the new, modern lifestyle, one I would most certainly would not have pursued had my Mom been alive.

Then came the most recent LDWP bill, dated March 28, 2022, and the bar for my electricity use was much shorter in Tier 1. Indeed, last year in a comparable bill there was a 54 day billing cycle with the total KW (kilowatts) used at 601. This most recent bill in a 59 day billing cycle was 428 KW used.

I achieved a good reduction of electricity use, and a lower LADWP bill. Yet, on the most recent bill I was still charged $15.80 for “Power Access Charge Tier 2” when the blur bar had not been in Tier 2 for two bi-monthly billing cycles.

I called the LADWP phone number on the bill, explained the situation, and was told by the nice service representative that this is common practice. It seems that since I was once in the Tier 2, higher charge area, and even though I was now firmly out of the Tier 2 box into the lower charge Tier 1, I would continue to be charged the “Power Access Charge Tier 2”.

When asked how long this would take continue the service rep did not have the answer.

So, I reduce my electricity use, and I am still charged for earlier time spent in the penalty box of Tier 2? Why am I being penalized by LADWP for using less electricity?

*(Matthew Hetz is a Los Angeles native. He is a transit rider and advocate, a composer, music instructor, and member and President and Executive Director of the Culver City Symphony Orchestra.)*

 [ ![benzinga ad](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/ADS%20FOR%202026/benzinga%20headlines%20350.png) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/106 "benzinga ad")

 [ ![save up to 4000 on used evs](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/LADWP/dwp%20ev%20ad2.png) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/107 "LA DWP | Save $4K, Green | Priority Ad")

 [ ![Donna Tryfman](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/ADS%20FOR%202026/Donna-Tryfman-Ad-Final-Complete-Border-White-Margin.png) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/98 "Donna Tryfman - HS1-1")

 [ ![LA DWP #2 (Pay Your Bill Help)](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/LADWP/dwp%20level%20pay%205-7-25.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/82 "LA DWP #2 (Pay Your Bill Help)")

 [ ![David DeJute Campaign](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/ADS%20FOR%202026/DejuteAd.png) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/111 "David DeJute Campaign")

 [ ![Pay Water Bill Help](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/LADWP/dwp%20-%20cares-ad.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/97 "Home - LA DWP #2 (Pay Water Bill Help)")

 ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/banners/signup-for-cw.png)

## Get The News In Your Email Inbox Mondays &amp; Thursdays

 Email

 ---

##  Featured CityWatch Stories

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/1c/072d-1c016ddf.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33319:when-the-last-minute-power-play-failed-sacramento-finally-ran-out-of-time&catid=375)

### [When the Last-Minute Power Play Failed: Sacramento Finally Ran Out of Time](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33319:when-the-last-minute-power-play-failed-sacramento-finally-ran-out-of-time&catid=375)

MY THOUGHTS - Gavin Newsom came to the final days of his final regular legislative session with one more major problem…

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/88/071n-88bb0b90.png) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33300:follow-the-money-how-does-a-3-662-apartment-become-affordable-housing&catid=312)

### [Follow the Money: How Does a $3,662 Apartment Become “Affordable Housing”?](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33300:follow-the-money-how-does-a-3-662-apartment-become-affordable-housing&catid=312)

INVESTIGATIVE ANALYSIS - ED 1 Is Redeveloping Los Angeles—One Neighborhood at a Time You know that persistent, annoyin…

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/4b/070i-4ba64015.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33283:newsoms-next-immigration-gamble-defy-federal-law-and-dare-washington-to-fight-back&catid=375)

### [Newsom’s Next Immigration Gamble: Defy Federal Law And Dare Washington To Fight Back](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33283:newsoms-next-immigration-gamble-defy-federal-law-and-dare-washington-to-fight-back&catid=375)

MY THOUGHTS - Gov. Gavin Newsom is about to decide whether California should take another extraordinary gamble with fed…

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/44/071d-441a7ed2.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33308:as-california-debated-sharing-data-on-drivers-homeland-security-subpoenaed-17-million-records&catid=425)

### [As California Debated Sharing Data On Drivers, Homeland Security Subpoenaed 17 Million Records](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33308:as-california-debated-sharing-data-on-drivers-homeland-security-subpoenaed-17-million-records&catid=425)

TECHNOLOGY - California lawmakers wrestled with a difficult question earlier this summer: Could the state safely share…

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/1a/071i-1a9188c0.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33304:l-a-s-unlimited-political-money-pipeline-when-public-officials-become-fundraisers-for-powerful-interests&catid=401)

### [L.A.’s Unlimited Political Money Pipeline: When Public Officials Become Fundraisers for Powerful Interests](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33304:l-a-s-unlimited-political-money-pipeline-when-public-officials-become-fundraisers-for-powerful-interests&catid=401)

THE BOTTOM LINE - Los Angeles limits campaign contributions, restricts gifts to public officials and requires financial…

---

##  [ VOICES ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=375)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Sept-2026/071m.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33301:the-limit-of-coercion-israels-strategic-delusion&catid=375)### [The Limit Of Coercion: Israel’s Strategic Delusion](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33301:the-limit-of-coercion-israels-strategic-delusion&catid=375)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Sept-2026/071l.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33302:wendell-berry-august-5-1934-august-31-2026-a-guiding-light-a-man-far-ahead-of-his-time&catid=375)### [Wendell Berry (August 5, 1934 – August 31, 2026): A Guiding Light, A Man Far Ahead of His Time ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33302:wendell-berry-august-5-1934-august-31-2026-a-guiding-light-a-man-far-ahead-of-his-time&catid=375)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Aug-2026/070i.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33283:newsoms-next-immigration-gamble-defy-federal-law-and-dare-washington-to-fight-back&catid=375)### [Newsom’s Next Immigration Gamble: Defy Federal Law And Dare Washington To Fight Back](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33283:newsoms-next-immigration-gamble-defy-federal-law-and-dare-washington-to-fight-back&catid=375)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Aug-2026/070b.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33285:should-driverless-cars-continue-to-be-tested-waymo-often-when-real-lives-are-at-stake&catid=375)### [Should Driverless Cars Continue to Be Tested WayMo Often When Real Lives Are At Stake?](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33285:should-driverless-cars-continue-to-be-tested-waymo-often-when-real-lives-are-at-stake&catid=375)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Aug-2026/070e.png) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33275:nithya-raman-has-yet-to-address-hasan-pikers-antisemitism-controversy&catid=375)### [Nithya Raman Has Yet to Address Hasan Piker’s Antisemitism Controversy](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33275:nithya-raman-has-yet-to-address-hasan-pikers-antisemitism-controversy&catid=375)
<div data-id="1" 
	class="eb-inst eb-hide eb-emailform eb-1 eboxContentLocker"
	data-options='{"trigger":"onPageLoad","trigger_selector":"","delay":3000,"early_trigger":true,"scroll_depth":"percentage","scroll_depth_value":80,"firing_frequency":1,"reverse_scroll_close":true,"threshold":0,"close_out_viewport":false,"exit_timer":1000,"idle_time":10000,"close_on_esc":false,"animation_open":"slideInDown","animation_close":"fadeOutDown","animation_duration":400,"disable_page_scroll":true,"test_mode":false,"debug":false,"ga_tracking":true,"ga_tracking_id":"G-P16BQ7X1SW","ga_tracking_event_category":"EngageBox","ga_tracking_event_label":"Box #1 - Global Email Signup Form","auto_focus":false}'
	data-type='popup'
	>

	<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-outside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>
	<div class="eb-dialog eb-formVer" role="dialog" aria-modal="true" id="dialog1" aria-label="dialog1">
		
		<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-inside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>	
		<div class="eb-container">
						<div class="eb-content">
				
<form action="https://citywatchla.us2.list-manage.com/subscribe/post?u=34d69f33624fd058ee9b56516&amp;id=4bfa422f51&amp;f_id=00d6c2e1f0" class="eb" method="post" id="mcform-1" name="mcform-1" target="_blank">
			<div class="eb-form-header"><p><img src="/images/2023/06/be-a-city-watcher.png" alt="be a city watcher" width="350" height="97" loading="lazy" data-path="local-images:/2023/06/be-a-city-watcher.png"></p>
<p>Sign up to receive our special e-news blasts on Monday and Thursday evenings!</p></div>
	
					<div class="eb-field-row">

			
			
			
			<input class="eb-input" type="email" name="EMAIL"  placeholder="Email address"  id="EMAIL" value="" required>

			
		</div>
										
	<div class="eb-footer">
    	<button class="eb-btn" type="submit" name="subscribe" style="background-color:rgba(93, 183, 93, 1);color:rgba(255, 255, 255, 1)">
    		Sign up    	</button>
    </div>
</form>			</div>
		</div>
	</div>	
</div>
<div data-id="3" 
	class="eb-inst eb-hide eb-yesno eb-3 "
	data-options='{"trigger":"onScrollDepth","trigger_selector":"","delay":0,"early_trigger":false,"scroll_depth":"percentage","scroll_depth_value":80,"firing_frequency":2,"reverse_scroll_close":false,"threshold":0,"close_out_viewport":false,"exit_timer":1000,"idle_time":1000,"close_on_esc":false,"animation_open":"fadeInUp","animation_close":"fadeOut","animation_duration":300,"disable_page_scroll":false,"test_mode":false,"debug":false,"ga_tracking":true,"ga_tracking_id":"G-P16BQ7X1SW","ga_tracking_event_category":"EngageBox","ga_tracking_event_label":"Box #3 - Yes \/ No Donation Popup Box","auto_focus":false}'
	data-type='popup'
	>

	<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-outside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>
	<div class="eb-dialog " role="dialog" aria-modal="true" id="dialog3" aria-label="dialog3">
		
		<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-inside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>	
		<div class="eb-container">
						<div class="eb-content">
				
<div class="ebox-yes-no">
	<div class="ebox-yn-text">
		
		
		<div class="ebox-yn-headline" style="font-size:22px;color:#888888">
			<p>If you only give once a month, would you consider giving to CityWatch?</p>
<p>Your support fuels our mission to promote and facilitate civic engagement and neighborhood empowerment, and to hold area government and its politicians accountable.</p>
<p>Would you like to help? Even if you can only give $5, it will make a difference.</p>		</div>
			</div>
	
	<div class="ebox-ys-buttons" style="font-size: 16px;">
		
<a
					data-ebox-prevent="0"
		data-ebox-cmd="close"
				target="_self"
		href="https://www.citywatchla.com/donate"
		rel="noopener"
	
	
	
	
	class="ebox-ys-btn"
	style="background-color:#2ec664;color:#ffffff;min-width:100px">
	Yes
	</a>
<a
	
	
			data-ebox-cmd="close"
		href="#"
	
	
	class="ebox-ys-btn"
	style="background-color:#ef2345;color:#ffffff;min-width:100px">
	Not Right Now
	</a>	</div>

	</div>			</div>
		</div>
	</div>	
</div>