Janice Quiñones, CEO and chief engineer of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), calls the department’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and climate change agenda ahead of its struggles to address ongoing issues. It focused extensively on initiatives. Fires devastated the Los Angeles area.

Quiñones took the top job at LADWP in 2024. landing $750,000 salary and promising LADWP aims to “strengthen systems to combat climate change”, but was popular Her commitment to pursuing the goal of “supporting strategies and policies that: capital” Now her department is in trouble. large scale lawsuit It alleges the city failed to properly manage its water system before the fire exploded into a major disaster, draining hydrants in some of the hardest-hit areas.

She said that before starting work at LADWP in May 2024, Quiñones served as senior vice president of electric utilities and gas engineering at Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) from April 2021 to December 2023. He is said to have been working. LinkedIn profile. PG&E has had its own struggles maintaining its infrastructure in recent years. 2021 Dixie Fire after being hit by a fallen tree. (Related: ‘Unbelievable’: 7 times California official completely fumbled the ball in front of cameras as Los Angeles burns)

“I’ve worked in operations, engineering, customer service, gas, electric, and now water. I’ve run water energy efficiency projects, vegetation management, and wildfire mitigation programs,” Quiñones said. He spoke in a paper published in December 2024. interview.

Quiñones’ compensation package at LADWP is nearly double that of his predecessor as city officials sought to attract top talent from the private sector. According to Go to ABC7. Notably, eight of the 10 highest-paid officials in Los Angeles in 2023 worked for LADWP.

But the department appears to have failed a key test posed by the Los Angeles fires, which are still burning more than a week after they started.

“Among other failures, the Santa Ynez Reservoir, a 117 million gallon water storage facility that is part of the Los Angeles water system, has emptied, leaving firefighters with little water left to fight the Palisades Fire. “The Santa Ynez Reservoir has been out of service since February 2024, awaiting repair of the cap,” the complaint filed with Quiñones’ department says. “LADWP made a conscious decision not to repair the Santa Ynez Reservoir cap in a timely manner, leaving the reservoir empty and unusable, all as a “cost-cutting” measure. With the Santa Ynez Reservoir shut down, three tanks, each holding 1 million gallons of water, ran dry within 12 hours and a fire hydrant in the Pacific Palisades failed. ”

The lawsuit was filed by Palisades residents and business owners who lost their homes and businesses in the fire.

Independent journalist Michael Shellenberger reported On Sunday, an anonymous former utility expert with decades of experience told Shellenberger that the reservoir should not have been shut down given the known risk of wildfires starting in Southern California in January. . (Related article: ‘Gross mismanagement’: Petition to recall Los Angeles mayor gathers nearly 100,000 signatures amid devastating fire)

🚨 As Los Angeles burns, it’s important to note that LA Fire Chief Christine Crowley established the Office of DEI and prioritized diversity efforts. pic.twitter.com/j9PyAlrVt0

— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) January 8, 2025

“The person I spoke with has worked as a senior professional in California water utilities for 20 years. This person told the Public that LADWP should not have drained the Santa Ynez Reservoir,” Schellen said. Mr. Berger wrote. “Rather, it should be kept full of water for emergencies and the torn cover should be repaired only after the risk of fire is much lower and LADWP has engaged a contractor and is prepared to make the necessary repairs.” I should have drained the water.”

Additionally, sources are said to be from the Los Angeles Fire Department. said According to the Daily Mail, LADWP knew before the fire that there were malfunctioning fire hydrants in the city, but did not take quick enough action to fully address the problem before disaster struck. It is said that

However, LADWP fight “The claim that Pacific Palisades fire hydrants were failing before the Palisades Fire is misleading and false,” the statement said. It was requested.” A LADWP spokesperson also instructed DCNF to: YouTube video We will explain about fire hydrant failures.

Quiñones stated and indicated multiple times in her July 2024 document that DEI would be a priority for LADWP under her leadership. interview She says she views LADWP’s activities through a so-called “equity lens.” LADWP’s press release announcing Quiñones’ hiring said she is the first Latina woman to lead the agency, adding that the agency will pursue “equity-focused” policies under her watch.

Additionally, in 2024, LADWP partnered with Los Angeles radio station KBLA to help launch KBLA’s $2 million year-long “climate change campaign” targeting minority listeners. According to To the Los Angeles Daily News. Quiñones made the “fair lens” comment during an interview on KBLA.

Other old documents and news articles also help shed light on Quiñones and LADWP’s priorities.

“Importantly, DWP will ramp up local power grids to power more cars, heat pumps and induction stoves, a key technology for removing heat-trapping fossil fuels from our lives. “She emphasized the need to do so,” said a June 2024 Los Angeles Times article about Quiñones. .

moreover, August 2024 LADWP Document For the best candidate for the department’s Chief Strategy and Sustainability Officer (CSSO) role, LADWP is “at the forefront of the transition to clean energy” and “supports sustainable and equitable growth for our communities and customers.” We are committed to promoting the The document states that the CSSO will report directly to Quiñones.

“We are looking for a visionary and dynamic Chief Strategy and Sustainability Officer (CSSO) to lead our efforts in developing and executing our sustainability strategy and driving innovation in our clean energy story. “, the document states. “The CSSO reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Engineer of LADWP and is responsible for managing staff and overseeing the operations and activities of the Sustainability and Environment Group, including the Corporate Sustainability Report. Cap-and-trade. Greenhouse gas emissions reporting. Revenue from low carbon fuel standard credits. Corporate strategies, including electrification strategies, hydrogen, LA 100, and electric vehicle/self-protection programs. .” (Related article: ‘Excuses go viral’: California Democrats pave way for ‘Big One’ takeover of Los Angeles)

Captain Oblivious: President Joe Biden revealed his first great-grandchild was born Wednesday while being briefed on the wildfires raging just a few miles from him in Los Angeles, California. Ta. pic.twitter.com/Bza7iqDc1M

— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) January 9, 2025

As of Friday afternoon, at least 27 people were confirmed to have died in the fire. According to Go to CBS News. The fires have also caused significant destruction, with some estimates predicting that the fires could ultimately cause: tens of billions After all, it will cost you many dollars worth of damage.

Democratic California Governor Gavin Newsom has also been criticized for his policy decisions ahead of the fires. announced He said on January 10 that he wanted a full independent investigation into how the hydrant emptied.

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