Federal government alleges Southern California Edison of negligence in multimillion-dollar lawsuits linked to wildfires

In a series of recent developments, Southern California Edison (SCE) is facing multiple lawsuits and investigations over allegations of negligence in the maintenance of its power infrastructure, which some claim led to devastating wildfires in California.

The California Fire Victims Law Center, an organisation co-founded by Attorney Kiley Grombacher, has been vocal about SCE's role in the destruction caused by these fires. Grombacher stated that the company's negligence has cost lives, destroyed homes, and left communities contaminated with toxic chemicals.

The DOJ lawsuit, filed earlier this week, does not definitively conclude that SCE's equipment caused the ignition of the Eaton Fire. However, it suggests a possible association between the utility company's infrastructure and the fire's origin. The lawsuit seeks approximately $77 million for damages from two deadly fires in the Los Angeles area since 2022.

The Eaton Fire, which broke out in 2022, has been under investigation by the L.A. County Fire Department. The fires in Eaton Canyon and Riverside County, allegedly triggered by SCE infrastructure, burned tens of thousands of acres of National Forest.

SCE spokesperson Gabriela Ornelas described the Eaton Fire as "heartbreaking" and stated that the company would respond to the DOJ lawsuit through appropriate legal channels. The company has also warned investors that it faces a "probable loss" in connection with the Eaton Fire.

In addition to the DOJ lawsuit, SCE is also facing lawsuits from L.A. County, the cities of Sierra Madre and Pasadena seeking compensation for damage to public properties due to the Eaton Fire. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has filed claims in 2023 for millions of dollars in damages against SCE due to alleged negligence in maintaining its electrical infrastructure.

The CPUC's complaint for the 2022 Fairview fire in Riverside County cites an incident investigation report, stating that SCE "violated several requirements" of public utility code for overhead electric line construction.

Acting United States Attorney Bill Essayli hopes that the lawsuits will cause a culture change at Southern California Edison, making it a responsible and conscientious company. The California Fire Victims Law Center, which has filed a class action lawsuit against SCE on behalf of residents who lost their homes in the Eaton Fire, views the DOJ lawsuit as evidence of the company's "unconscionable pattern of negligence."

In response to the ongoing issues, SCE has committed to wildfire mitigation through grid hardening, situational awareness, and enhanced operational practices. The company also plans to launch a Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program this fall for victims of the Eaton Fire.

The DOJ statement issued Thursday states that the lawsuits aim to recover taxpayer dollars and initiate a cultural change within the utility company. The United States has accused Southern California Edison of negligently failing to maintain power infrastructure, leading to the destruction of communities and the environment.

As the investigations and lawsuits continue, it remains to be seen how Southern California Edison will address these allegations and move towards a more responsible approach to wildfire prevention.

Federal government alleges Southern California Edison of negligence in multimillion-dollar lawsuits linked to wildfires