| BURBANK WATER AND POWER
GENERAL MANAGER
Burbank Water and Power (BWP) is a not-for-profit utility owned by the citizens of Burbank, California. The Mission of BWP is to provide electric and water services to their customers in a safe and reliable manner while providing stable and competitive rates. Burbank is a Charter City that operates under a City Council-City Manager form of government. Burbank’s five-member City Council determines how BWP’s services are provided, including setting rates and approving services. Burbank is a full-service City, employing over 1,400 people.
THE ORGANIZATION
BWP operates out of three LEEDS Platinum Buildings and provides services to approximately 23,000 water customers and 55,000 electric customers in an urban center in greater Los Angeles. BWP has an annual budget of approximately $337 million and a system peak of 320 MW and annual water sales of 8,200,000 ccf. BWP operates one of the more technically sophisticated and reliable distribution systems in the nation (current availability is 99.999%). The utility was an early adopter of numerous smart grid-enabling technologies, including, Automated Metering Infrastructure (AMI), Meter Data Management (MDM), an Oracle customer information system (CCMB), an extensive dark fiber system and gigabit Ethernet broadband service, smart relays and reclosers, integrated automated dispatch, and predictive distribution system analytics. All of BWP’s largest customers and a large percentage of total load are on time-of-use rates. BWP owns and operates a diverse power portfolio, comprised of approximately 35% renewable including landfill gas, wind, solar, hydroelectric, and utility-scale energy storage resources. BWP’s goals are to become 60% renewable by 2030 and 100% Green House Gas-free by 2040. The utility manages much of its power supply needs through participation in the Southern California Public Power Agency (SCPPA). However, BWP also operates the 300 MW gas-fired Magnolia Plant, two small gas-fired steam generators, and one simple-cycle combustion turbine, as well as a 24/7 power trading operation. The utilities energy efficiency efforts saved a cumulative 12.2 MWh for its customers. The City of Burbank offers a unique customer composition that is dominated heavily by residential customers in number. However, 67% of BWP’s electric sales is gained from 3% of BPW’s customers, including commercial media giants (Disney, Warner Brothers, Nickelodeon, etc.) that require significant attention to power quality, reliability and renewable energy supplies. Burbank does not have any natural reoccurring water rights within Burbank and is 100%dependent on imported water purchased from the Metropolitan Water District. However, Burbank receives groundwater credits based on the amount of retail water sales by BWP. Using the groundwater credits, BWP pumps from wells in Burbank and then treats the water to remove volatile organic contaminants. Metropolitan Water District (MWD) is very dependent on water supply from the State Water Project and the Colorado River Aqueduct system which are facing vulnerabilities while MWD continues to have annual rate increases in the 3% to 5% range. BWP has rapidly expanded its recycled water system throughout Burbank, currently recycled water represents 16% of all water sales. Water sale growth is stagnant and cash reserves are on the low end. Burbank has a policy that requires the use of recycled water for targeted large irrigated landscaped areas and other industrial uses. BWP’s forecast for electric rate increases for the next four years is in the 1.5% to 2.5% range, while water rate increases are forecasted to be 6.5% to 7.5% per year for the next four years. Today, BWP’s electric rate is 3% lower compared to 2004 adjusted for inflation, and water rates are anywhere from 16% to 51% lower than neighboring utilities. BWP’s electric bonds are rated ‘Aa3’ by Moody’s Investor Service. Water bonds are rated ‘AAA’ with a stable outlook by Fitch Ratings. More information can be found at:
https://www.burbankwaterandpower.com/ THE COMMUNITY
Tucked between the Hollywood Hills and the Verdugo Mountains in the heart of Los Angeles County, the City of Burbank is a picturesque city with a small-town feel that belies its prominent position in the world of entertainment. Its excellent school system, extensive shopping, moderate year-round climate, tree-lined neighborhoods, proximity to ocean and mountains, and many parks make Burbank an excellent place to call home. Throughout its 100-year history, Burbank has embodied a forward-thinking city that provides a high quality of life and strong sense of community to its residents. Presently, Burbank maintains its long standing relationship with Warner Brothers and Disney and is now home to hundreds of media and related support companies such as ABC, Cartoon-Network Studios, Nickelodeon Animation, Clear Channel, and other post production, film processing, special effects, equipment rental and related businesses. As such, Burbank is happily referred to as the "Media Capital of the World." These iconic companies, along with the City’s theaters, restaurants, shops, nightspots, and festivals, attract nearly ten million tourists and visitors each year. Burbank’s diversified economic base provides full-time employment opportunities for approximately 150,000 individuals across a wide variety of industries including high tech, retail, finance/banking and hospital/medical. In addition, the City has 41 public parks and facilities, a public golf course, equestrian trails, bike paths, a weekly Farmer’s Market, outstanding municipal services, an innovative recycling program, and high performing schools. Named one of the nation’s 100 Best Communities for Young People in 2008 and 2010, the City was also ranked the 16th safest city to live in the United States in 2016 by BusinessInsider.com. The 17-square-mile Burbank community is a wonderful place to live, work, and play, but is also in near proximity to many other communities including Pasadena, Santa Clarita, Arcadia, La Canada Flintridge, Northridge, and Studio City. To learn more, visit: https://www.burbankca.gov/ |
