North Hollywood-Toluca Lake Residents Eligible For DWP Rebate Program

LOS ANGELES, CA — Some Angelinos will be eligible for a cool $225 incentive for installing energy-efficient air conditioners.

Low-income customers can receive between $75 to $225 rebates from the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power for making the switch as part of the "Cool LA" initiative introduced Friday. The program comes as the region recovers from a record-setting heat wave that threatened to overwhelm the state's power grid. Millions of Californians blasted their air conditioners at the same time, creating record electricity demand.

About 237,000 Angelinos may be eligible for the program, which covers nearly 300 different efficient window, room or portable air conditioning units.

In addition to the energy savings, officials also introduced a new program that will allow customers to evenly spread out their utility payments over the 12 months of the year. The goal is to make it easier for residents to balance their budgets — especially during the months of the year when excessive heat can turn deadly for vulnerable residents.

"LADWP is very proud of what we've been able to accomplish through Cool LA so far," said Martin L. Adams, LADWP general manager and chief engineer. "Through Cool LA, LADWP is committed to providing the relief from extreme heat that our communities need AND deserve, no matter their income, ZIP code, age or health."

Mayor Eric Garcetti joined LADWP officials in Panorama City on Friday to announce the initiative.

"The impacts of the climate emergency are on our doorstep, and as we continue our work to make Los Angeles a carbon-neutral city, we can't wait to bring solutions to people on the front lines of this crisis today," Garcetti said.

"Cool LA will bring needed relief from the heat to over a quarter- million of our most vulnerable Angelenos -- and is the latest step in our work to ensure communities bearing the brunt of climate change get immediate support."

Cynthia McClain-Hill, president of the LADWP board, said officials are acting to give the most vulnerable residents an option to stay cool, especially during the summer months.

"Countless Angelenos often put their own health and safety at risk by keeping their AC units off during dangerous heat conditions, because of the fear they won't be able to pay their electric bills if they run their AC," McClain-Hill said. "What's even more shameful is that some of the most at-risk members of our city can't even afford to own air conditioners."

City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.