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Southern California Edison (SCE) has presented an initial comprehensive plan to rebuild the electrical distribution infrastructure in the Altadena and Malibu areas that were affected by the January wildfires. The primary focus of the plan is to enhance reliability and ensure long-term resilience of the power system, which includes the undergrounding of new distribution equipment. According to the preliminary plan, SCE proposes to underground a total of 153 circuit miles. This includes 130 circuit miles covering almost all distribution power lines located in High Fire Risk Areas (HFRA) within the burn scars of the impacted communities. Additionally, 23 circuit miles in areas of Altadena that are not classified as HFRA will also be placed underground. SCE is further evaluating another 19 circuit miles in Altadena for possible inclusion in the project. Pedro J. Pizarro, president and CEO of Edison International, SCE’s parent company, said in a statement, “Just three months have passed since the devastating wildfires, and all of us at Edison continue to keep those affected in our thoughts. We’re working closely with state and county leaders and the communities of Altadena and Malibu to rebuild wildfire-impacted areas stronger than ever. SCE’s rebuilding plan will underground electrical distribution infrastructure where feasible and make the most of breakthrough technologies to reduce wildfire risk.” He further added, “Governor Newsom’s leadership during this tragedy has been instrumental, contributing to an environment where SCE could design and permit projects in a matter of weeks instead of what would usually take years. Continued collaboration to streamline projects and secure funding resources is needed to rebuild wildfire-impacted communities without delay.” SCE outlined the details of the plan in a letter addressed to Governor Gavin Newsom. The letter summarizes the proposed work and highlights the need for collaboration with local, state, and federal government agencies, nonprofit organizations, technology partners, and community members to successfully implement the project. The total estimated cost of the rebuild ranges between $860 million and $925 million. SCE has stated its commitment to finding efficiencies within the project and plans to seek financial support from multiple sources to help fund the initiative. Steven Powell, president and CEO of SCE, stated, “SCE will build back a resilient, reliable grid for our customers. We are increasing electrical capacity in fire-impacted communities and exploring advanced technologies, such as battery backup for critical care customers and smart panels, to better serve our customers. We will continue to engage community members to make sure their views remain a critical part of the rebuild. I am proud to work alongside SCE colleagues as we support our communities and build a resilient, clean and affordable energy future.” Edison International has acknowledged that Southern California Edison’s (SCE) equipment may have been involved in the cause of the Eaton Fire. The investigation into the incident is still ongoing, and the company has emphasized its commitment to maintaining transparency with the public throughout the process. While some parties have already initiated litigation, Edison International has affirmed that this will not affect its dedication to supporting SCE communities during the rebuilding efforts. As part of the rebuilding plan, SCE is undertaking several major initiatives to enhance the resilience and reliability of the power system. The plan includes undergrounding 40 circuit miles of distribution lines in Altadena and surrounding neighborhoods within High Fire Risk Areas (HFRA), along with 23 circuit miles in non-HFRA regions. Additionally, 90 circuit miles of distribution lines in Malibu and nearby areas within HFRA will also be placed underground. An additional 19 circuit miles in Altadena are currently being evaluated for feasibility. The scope and timeline for undergrounding projects will depend on permitting processes, community and customer coordination, and the availability of funding. Some portions of the grid are expected to be completed within a few months, while others may require several years to finish. In areas where undergrounding is not feasible, SCE will harden the existing infrastructure using covered conductors to enhance fire safety and system reliability. Overall, the plan aims to reduce the need for Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) and improve service reliability for customers. In addition to rebuilding efforts, SCE is upgrading its infrastructure to support greater customer demand for electricity, improve reliability, and facilitate clean energy adoption. These upgrades include increasing the distribution voltage in west Altadena from 4 kV to 16 kV and incorporating advanced grid technologies such as automation systems that help maintain equipment, isolate disruptions more effectively, and restore service more quickly. These improvements are aligned with SCE’s broader grid enhancement plans across its service area. As part of the rebuilding plan, SCE is undertaking several major initiatives to enhance the resilience and reliability of the power system. The plan includes undergrounding 40 circuit miles of distribution lines in Altadena and surrounding neighborhoods within High Fire Risk Areas (HFRA), along with 23 circuit miles in non-HFRA regions. Additionally, 90 circuit miles of distribution lines in Malibu and nearby areas within HFRA will also be placed underground. An additional 19 circuit miles in Altadena are currently being evaluated for feasibility. The scope and timeline for undergrounding projects will depend on permitting processes, community and customer coordination, and the availability of funding. Some portions of the grid are expected to be completed within a few months, while others may require several years to finish. In areas where undergrounding is not feasible, SCE will harden the existing infrastructure using covered conductors to enhance fire safety and system reliability. Overall, the plan aims to reduce the need for Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) and improve service reliability for customers. In addition to rebuilding efforts, SCE is upgrading its infrastructure to support greater customer demand for electricity, improve reliability, and facilitate clean energy adoption. These upgrades include increasing the distribution voltage in west Altadena from 4 kV to 16 kV and incorporating advanced grid technologies such as automation systems that help maintain equipment, isolate disruptions more effectively, and restore service more quickly. These improvements are aligned with SCE’s broader grid enhancement plans across its service area. |
