Due to climate change, drought, and earthquakes, drinking supplies in the western U.S. and similar climatic regions globally will become strained, especially in densely populated urban areas, such as the City of Los Angeles (City). In response, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power committed at least $6 billion to invest in Pure Water Los Angeles, also known as Operation Next. The initiative would treat wastewater to create a new local, sustainable, and reliable source of over 250,000 acre-feet of drinking water per year. By developing the Operation NEXT Resilience Analysis Model and analyzing about 100,000 scenarios, the researchers found that Operation NEXT would be a strategic investment to address immediate water supply challenges and offer long-term economic and water security benefits. Operation NEXT would: 1) offer substantial regional economic benefits; 2) significantly bolster local water supply resilience; 3) improve resilience to uncertain water imports; and 4) significantly reduce earthquake-driven water shortages. Because climate uncertainty will be the largest driver of the City's water shortage, the project should be designed to be adaptable. This analysis can inform broader planning efforts both in the U.S. and beyond.

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) is developing its strategy for an equitable transition to renewable energy in response to the 2023 LA100 Equity Strategies study. Their activities include the establishment of an Equity Strategies Advisory Committee, as well as efforts to develop an equity action plan and to renovate the utility’s Equity Metrics Data Initiative. To understand and support the wide array of efforts to advance energy equity at LADWP, we interviewed LADWP program management staff, as well as staff from other city and state agencies, in 2024. This report presents a snapshot of perspectives during the summer and fall of 2024, before substantial staff changes. It summarizes interviewees’ perspectives, as well as the research team’s insights, observations, and recommendations. We highlight the need for ambitious, concrete, and transparent public commitments, backed by a well-defined internal equity vision and strong institutional change management. We recommend more transparent and accessible public information sharing and community engagement, citywide collaboration to dismantle common obstacles, and a centralized data management system. Ultimately, we recommend that LADWP formalize a long-term, compensated community advisory board to establish an avenue to deeper levels of trust, participation, and empowerment among the utility’s customers.