Light and Power
The City of Vernon Light & Power Department serves as an important resource for the city’s business community, providing reliable, high-quality utility service at some of the lowest rates in the state of California. Publicly-owned and in operation for over half a century, Light & Power offers electricity and gas service to Vernon-based businesses at a savings of 10% to 40% compared to neighboring utility providers. The Vernon-owned gas and electric distribution system has history of strong and steady operation, and has advanced capabilities to effectively serve the city’s large manufacturing sector.
Electric Rates
The City of Vernon offers some of the least expensive commercial and industrial rates in California. The Light & Power Department prepares the Electric Rate Schedule, which is reviewed and approved by the Vernon City Council. City Council resolutions are necessary for any changes to these rates.
The chart below provides a comparison of the Light & Power Department’s rates in relation to other medium to large utilities in Southern California.
| COMPARISON OF MEDIUM TO LARGE COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL ELECTRIC BILLS FOR MUNICIPAL UTILITIES |
 |
(Bills in $ for January 2006*) |
The Light & Power Department offers four general service rates that vary depending on a customer’s demand. New customers are required to meet a minimum demand before qualifying for higher-schedule rates. Please find below brief descriptions of these four rates and links to each rate schedule.
- GS-1. Any three-phase and single-phase load can qualify for this rate. Customers do not have to install a Time-of-Use (TOU) meter. The rate does not include demand charges, only energy usage charges in kilowatthours (kWh).
- GS-2. This rate has demand and energy charge components. The energy charge is flat without any benefits for off-peak and mid-peak period consumption. This schedule is not available for customers who have installed TOU meters or who have had electricity demands of 500 kW or higher for any three months during the preceding twelve months.
- TOU-G. Service under this schedule is elective for customers served under Schedule No. GS-2 and offers benefits for mid-peak and off-peak energy consumption. Customers must have a monthly maximum demand that exceeds 100 kW for three months during the preceding twelve months but is less than 500 kW for nine months during the preceding twelve months. Service under this schedule is elective for all existing customers with TOU meters who have been taking service under Schedule TOU-V with a monthly maximum demand that exceeds 100 kW for three months during the preceding twelve months but is less than 500 kW for any nine months during the preceding 12 months. Service is subject to meter availability.
- TOU-V. This schedule is applicable for all customers with demands of 500 kW or higher for any three months during the preceding twelve months and who have installed TOU meters. This rate offers benefits for mid-peak and off-peak energy consumption.
Rules for Electric Service
The Light & Power Department’s Engineering Division prepared the following Rules for Electric Service, which were reviewed and approved by the Vernon City Council. City Council Resolutions are necessary to make any changes to these rules. Please click on the number on the left-hand side of each resolution for a link to its full text.
| 1 | Definitions | 6//15/95 |
| 2 | Description of Service | 6//15/95 |
| 3 | Application for Service | 6//15/95 |
| 4 | Contracts | 6//15/95 |
| 5 | Special Information Required on Forms | 6//15/95 |
| 6 | Establishment and Reestablishment of Credit | 6//15/95 |
| 7 | Prepayments | 6//15/95 |
| 8 | Notices | 6//15/95 |
| 9 | Presentation and Payment of Bills | 6//15/95 |
| 10 | Disputed Bills | 6//15/95 |
| 11 | Discontinuance and Restoration of Service | 6//15/95 |
| 12 | Rates and Optional Rates | 6//15/95 |
| 13 | Temporary Service | 6//15/95 |
| 14 | Shortage of Supply and Interruption of Delivery | 6//15/95 |
| 15 | Line Extensions | 6//15/95 |
| 16 | Service Connections and Facilities on Customer's Premises | 6//15/95 |
| 17 | Meter Tests and Adjustment of Bills for Meter Error | 6//15/95 |
| 18 | Supply to Separate Premises and Use by Others | 6//15/95 |
Power Content Label
California Senate Bill 1305 requires all electric service providers to disclose what energy resources were used to generate the electricity they sell. Vernon's Light and Power Department adopted the "Power Content Label" created by the California Energy Commission to comply with this legislation.
The label below provides complete information about the energy resources used to generate the electricity that is sold by Vernon's Light and Power Department. An updated "Power Content Label" will be mailed to all Vernon customers quarterly. The Vernon power mix shown below is the same the 2007 California Power Mix. This is a "default" projection that may be used by providers such as Vernon not claiming to provide a higher percentage of renewable energy resources than the California Power Mix.
- Power Content Label (PDF)
If you have questions regarding this information, please contact Abraham Alemu, at 323-583-8811, extension 250.
Service Planning
To receive prompt electrical service, please follow the instructions below.
- Contact Customer Service of the Light and Power Department for an Application and Contract for Electric Service, an Electric Service Planning Information Sheet (Load Sheet), a Rate Schedule and the Rules for Electric Service.
- Complete the application and load sheet and submit it to Utilities Customer Service for processing. Customer Service will initiate a new electric account for your facility or provide you with information to process your request. For assistance in completing the load sheet, contact Light & Power engineering.
- Contact the Community Services Department to obtain proper permits prior to construction.
- Submit a manufacturer’s detailed drawing for new electric panels (600A and above) to Light & Power Metering Group for approval. All panels greater than 600A must have approval from the Metering Group prior to installation.
- Submit electrical drawings including a one-line diagram, load schedule, and site plan (if applicable) to Light & Power Engineering.
- Schedule plan check(s) and inspection with the Community Services Department’s Electrical Inspector. The panel installation must have the Electrical Inspector’s final approval.
- After final approval is received, contact Light & Power Engineering for service connection. The connection will be scheduled within two weeks after you obtain final approval from the City Electrical Inspector.
Customer Service
Services
- Processes applications for utility services: electric, water, gas, sewer, fire
- Prepares, collects and processes utility bills. Resolves billing issues.
- Verifies customer credits.
- Authorizes "turn-on" orders.
- Reads utility meters.
Billing
Monthly bills include the following:
- Electric: demand, energy, meter charges, special billing, transition charges
- Gas: transportation, commodity, meter charges, special billing
- Water: transmission charge, water usage
Contact customer service for any questions you have regarding your bill.
Customer Service Representative:
Anthony Serrano
(323)583-8811 Ext. 202 or
aserrano@ci.vernon.ca.us
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Why do we need Light & Power approval when the electrical inspector has already approved and certified our panel?
A. The City Electrical Inspector approves panels and electrical installations to ensure safety and compliance with the National Electric Code. The Utilities Department must approve the panel and meter location to ensure that proper service can be provided and the Department will have 24-hour access to the panel to read meters and turn off power in case of emergencies. In addition, the panel size and load schedule must match available power.
Q. Who do we call in case of emergencies?
A. Contact our control center 24 hours a day, seven days a week at (323) 826-1461. Make sure you include your company name, address and the nature of your call. Our systems coordinators will dispatch service personnel to your location.
Contact Us:
Customer Service
Tel: (323) 583-8811, Ext. 202, 269 or 297
Fax: (323) 826-1431
City Electrical Inspector
Tel: (323) 583-8811, Ext. 244
Fax: (323) 826-1435
Light & Power Engineering - Electric Service Planning
Tel: (323) 583-8811, Ext. 276
Fax: (323) 826-1458
Light & Power Metering Group
Tel: (323) 583-8811, Ext. 589
Fax: (323) 585-3119
