By City News Service

LOS ANGELES (September 13, 2019)— The Los Angeles City Council unanimously confirmed Martin L. Adams as Los Angeles Department of Water and Power’s (LADWP) General Manager and Chief Engineer during today’s council meeting at City Hall.

Adams has served in an interim capacity since his appointment by the Los Angeles Board of Water and Power Commissioners on July 23, 2019.  Adams was nominated to the post by Mayor Eric Garcetti in June and is the first to hold the title of “Chief Engineer” in over a generation.

“My career at LADWP has lasted about a third of the Department’s existence. To me it’s a wonderful opportunity and a challenge to be able to lead what is a fantastic organization of over 10,000 employees who have helped the city become what it is today,” said Adams.

Adams is a 35-year veteran of the Department and most recently served as Chief Operating Officer (COO) , where he oversaw LADWP’s extensive water and power operations. Before becoming COO, he led the LADWP Water System as Senior Assistant General Manager overseeing water infrastructure, water resources and water quality. At the time, he helped reduce Los Angeles’ water use by nearly 20 percent through implementation of LA’s industry-leading  water conservation ordinance and oversaw the creation of numerous customer rebates and programs for customers, while also accelerating LADWP’s replacement of aging infrastructure.

“Today’s unanimous City Council vote to confirm Marty Adams affirms my strong belief that he is the right leader at the right time to guide my DWP reform agenda of fiscal responsibility and low rates, reliability, sustainability and improved customer service. He has played a critical role in helping the department become the most sustainable public utility in America, has the experience and expertise to navigate the toughest challenges, and is skilled at bringing people together to solve problems. I am confident that his work — and leadership in integrating an Inspector General into the organization — will help us make certain that the DWP upholds the highest standards of integrity,” said Mayor Eric Garcetti.

During the nearly two months’ time that Adams has been at the helm of LADWP, the Department saw the Board approve the Eland solar and battery storage project, the largest in the U.S., helping to bolster LA’s renewable energy portfolio. Adams says LADWP has an enormous role to be a leader, not just at the city level, but on the national level as well, when it comes to fighting climate change.

“We know where the future is leading us. We know we have to get to where we have no fossil fuels in our system and focus on our local water supply. We are working on those plans and making sure we are fully aligned in our Department, all pulling in the same direction. We’re going to get where we need to be and to do so in a very responsible way, with sensitivity to our customers who foot the bill. I know we have a lot of challenges ahead. We have a lot of things we do right at the Department and some things we have to correct,” said Adams. “We have a great workforce and great capabilities. In the years ahead, I want to further hone that workforce and keep pointing us in the direction that the city needs to go.”

This article originally appeared in The Los Angeles Sentinel.

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