Azusa Related Topics

Family, Community

New Homes

Crime Cut in Half

Making Azusa Greener

Sav-On To Open

No energy crisis here
Public Power makes Azusa an “oasis of low-cost, reliable electricity”

Rate hikes and rolling black outs? Not for customers of Azusa Light and Water! In the midst of California’s energy emergency, our public utility has made Azusa “an oasis of low-cost, reliable electricity,”according to the L.A. Times. Azusa Light’s well-planned supply of long-term power contracts has ensured our customers all the energy they need at home and at work— and at lower rates tha Southern California Edison.

This year, instead of raising rates as Edison is demanding, Azusa Light and Water actually rebated more than a quarter of a million dollars to long-time customers. Why? One customer suggested that pre-payment deposits should be refunded to those who consistently pay their bills on time. Great idea! With the approval of the Azusa City Council, Azusa Light and Water went further and now waives pre-payments for new customers with good credit. Customers were so pleased with the change that a group presented long-time Utilities Director Joe Hsu with a plaque for his efforts (see SGV Tribune article “Future bright for power customers, Azusa Light, Water promising refunds, not increases,” December 22, 2000) on our web site at www.ci.azusa.ca.us.

“It’s important for all Californians to conserve energy and water, but we’re proud that Azusa Light and Water is meeting all our commitments,” noted Hsu. “For one hundred years, we’ve been serving our community as a public service, not for profit. Our success comes from a team effort to serve all our customers.”

That success pays off for the entire community. Each year, Azusa Light and Water contributes a portion of its net earnings to support vital city services, including police, fire, library and youth recreation. The rest is reinvested in keeping plant, equipment and technology up-to-date and environmentally responsible.

“When deregulation was hatched, many experts predicted that giant energy corporations would crush community-owned utilities. Just the opposite has happened. Our size and commitment to the community has earned customer loyalty, while the private utility giants are going broke.”
... Councilmember Dick Stanford