Give the DWP Some Credit Too

Re “There’s a Reason for Sky-High DWP Bills,” July 23: Though one cannot condone the Department of Water and Power hiring a public relations agency to the tune of $3 million a year, one should not forget that the DWP spared its Los Angeles customers from Enron-like profiteering.

While the rest of California was suffering brownouts and increasing energy costs, the DWP managed to make some very prudent business decisions by not joining the energy speculation bubble. Perhaps the $3 million would be well spent to remind L.A. residents that the DWP adeptly navigated the waters of the energy crisis in 2001.

Jane Torous

Los Angeles

*

The Times’ July 27 article “PR Firm in Billing Probe Failed to Take Own Advice” reports that Fleishman-Hillard’s clients include SBC Communications, Mitsubishi and the California Avocado Commission. These clients must invest heavily and continuously in order to attract and retain customers.

The DWP paid Fleishman-Hillard $3 million a year to, as The Times said, “extol the merits of the DWP to its captive clientele.” It is appropriate for City Controller Laura Chick to question the monthly billings of as much as $425 per hour. But the focus on the billings obscures a basic question: How many customers would the DWP lose if it didn’t have an expensive, high-power, high-priced PR agency?

Macy Baum

Los Angeles