Pasadena Utility Customers Get a Rare Chance To Ask About Rising Rates — in Person

Two months after the first phase of a new electric rate increase hit Pasadena bills, the utility that sent those bills is inviting customers to walk in, sit down, and ask questions face to face.

Pasadena Water and Power will hold its second annual Open House on Thursday, June 25, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at the Jackie Robinson Community Center, 1020 North Fair Oaks Avenue.

The free, drop-in event puts PWP staff — including General Manager David Reyes — across the table from the ratepayers they serve, at a moment when those ratepayers have more to ask about than usual.

The City Council unanimously approved a three-phase electric rate increase in March, with each phase raising rates by 7 percent. The first increase took effect in April. Two more are scheduled for October 2026 and March 2027. At the same time, PWP launched a solar and battery storage rebate pilot program that offers residential customers $0.60 per watt for new rooftop solar installations and up to $550 per kilowatt-hour for battery storage systems, according to a city press release. Customers enrolled in PWP’s income-qualified programs are eligible for an enhanced solar rebate of $1.00 per watt, according to a city press release.

Both topics — rates and rebates — will be among the themed stations at the Open House where attendees can engage directly with PWP employees. Other stations will cover bill comprehension, infrastructure priorities, water conservation, energy-efficiency incentives, and how PWP ensures reliable water and energy services, according to the city.

“Community engagement is essential to ensuring PWP meets the needs of the residents, businesses, and visitors we serve,” Reyes said in a statement. “This event gives our customers a chance to meet the people behind their utility, learn more about the services they rely on, and share feedback.”

The format is the same drop-in style as last year’s inaugural event, which drew more than 150 people to Victory Park Recreation Center on June 26, 2025, according to the City Manager’s Weekly Newsletter. Attendees moved through stations at their own pace. This year’s Open House shifts the venue to Jackie Robinson Community Center in northwest Pasadena.

PWP is a community-owned, not-for-profit municipal utility that provides electricity to more than 65,000 customers and delivers water to nearly 38,000 households and businesses in Pasadena and adjacent communities in the San Gabriel Valley, according to the city. The utility operates with an annual budget of approximately $450 million, according to the city.

The rebate program, announced in April, supports the city’s goal of achieving 100 percent carbon-free electricity by the end of 2030 — a target set by the City Council’s adoption of Resolution 9977 in 2023, according to PWP. Commercial customers can receive solar and battery rebates of up to $80,000 per meter, according to a city press release. PWP is also waiving plan review and inspection fees for solar and battery systems during the pilot program, according to a city press release.

The PWP Open House 2026 takes place on Thursday, June 25, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at the Jackie Robinson Community Center, 1020 North Fair Oaks Avenue.

The event is free, and no registration is required, though attendees are encouraged to RSVP at PWPweb.com/OpenHouse.

Light refreshments will be available. For accessibility information or to request an accommodation at least 72 hours in advance, contact (626) 744-7311 or CSC@CityOfPasadena.net. For more, call PWP Customer Service at (626) 744-4005 or visit PWPweb.com/OpenHouse.