The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) is moving forward with plans to build a long-delayed power distribution station in Pacific Palisades. The proposed site, situated between residential homes and a local elementary school, has faced community opposition for decades.
Two sources at LADWP confirmed that the project is part of the broader rebuilding efforts following the Palisades Fire, which devastated much of the neighborhood. LADWP has been attempting to develop the land—originally acquired through eminent domain—for over 50 years but has repeatedly encountered resistance from local residents and families of Marquez Charter Elementary School.
LADWP revived the plan two years ago, citing increasing electricity demands, particularly due to the rising use of electric vehicles (EVs) and Tesla Powerwall batteries. However, in 2023, the project was shelved. Now, in the aftermath of the fire and with many residents displaced, LADWP is moving forward again, with a redesigned plan that places the entire distribution station underground.
Additionally, LADWP intends to bury all electrical cables, gas lines, and other utility infrastructure throughout the neighborhood. The agency has stated that a public comment period will be available, allowing residents to voice their concerns before construction begins. The project is expected to take approximately two years to complete, assuming no further delays or opposition arise.
LADWP’s handling of the Palisades Fire has drawn both praise and criticism. Some residents are outraged that a local LADWP-operated reservoir was largely empty due to maintenance, which may have hampered firefighting efforts. Others acknowledge that the agency’s brush removal efforts may have contributed to saving some of the remaining homes in the area.
As LADWP pushes forward with its controversial plan, local residents will likely continue to challenge the project, reigniting long-standing debates over land use, safety, and infrastructure needs in Pacific Palisades.
