Los Alamos DPU Hosts Public Sessions to Update Water and Energy Conservation Plan

The Los Alamos Department of Public Utilities wrapped up a three-stop public input tour last week, bringing its "Speed Engagement Sessions" to the Municipal Building lobby, the White Rock Branch Library, and the White Rock Activity Center as part of a required update to the department's Water and Energy Conservation Plan.

The sessions, held March 9 and 10, leaned into an unconventional pitch. "Think of it like speed dating, but instead of finding your soulmate, you'll help DPU find its next conservation program," the county's release stated. The open-house format was designed to lower the barrier to participation: attendees could drop in for as little as 10 minutes, circulate through conversation stations representing goals set by the Los Alamos Board of Public Utilities, jot down ideas, and cast votes for their favorites using provided stickers.

The first session ran from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, March 9, in the lobby of the Municipal Building at 1000 Central Ave. The following afternoon, DPU moved the sessions to White Rock, hosting a 90-minute stop at the White Rock Branch Library, 10 Sherwood Blvd., from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., then shifting to the White Rock Activity Center at 133 Longview Dr. from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Attendees at the Activity Center were directed to park at the White Rock Senior Center and follow posted signs.

The outreach effort centers on updating the Water and Energy Conservation Plan, which DPU describes as a required document outlining conservation efforts across its services. The Board of Public Utilities sets the department's overarching goals, but the county release frames public input as the mechanism for shaping how those goals get translated into actual programming. "The Los Alamos Board of Public Utilities sets department goals, but public sentiment helps guide how we achieve those goals," the release noted.

The DPU conservation coordinator was present at each session to engage directly with attendees. Complete details about the WECP and the session series are available at ladpu.com/WECP.