Sidestepping any potential opposition from its commission, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power is shopping for a contractor to run pregnancy and breast-feeding classes for its workers for up to $50,000 a year.

Because the contract for “lactation specialist services” is less than $150,000, General Manager H. David Nahai can award it without seeking approval from the DWP board once the proposals are opened March 7.

Patsouras said it’s inappropriate to continue the lactation program at a time when the utility wants to raise electric rates by 9 percent over three years and water rates by 6 percent over two years.

“It’s absurd. At a time when we’re asking ratepayers to increase the rates, we’re going for lactation,” Patsaouras.