Southern California Edison under scrutiny for allegedly sparking Eaton and Fairview wildfires, as stated in a recent lawsuit by the US government.
In a significant development, the US Department of Justice has filed two lawsuits against Southern California Edison (SCE) in Los Angeles federal court, alleging the energy company was responsible for causing two devastating wildfires in Southern California last year.
The first lawsuit, filed on behalf of the US government, claims that the January 7 Eaton Fire was caused by faulty SCE power infrastructure or sparks from that infrastructure. This wildfire, which burned nearly 8,000 acres in Angeles National Forest in Los Angeles County, resulted in the loss of 19 lives and the destruction of over 10,000 structures.
The second lawsuit accuses a sagging SCE power line of sparking the September 5, 2022, Fairview Fire. This fire, which burned nearly 14,000 acres in San Bernardino National Forest in Riverside County, collectively killed 31 people.
Both lawsuits claim that SCE knew high winds could spark fires but failed to upgrade its equipment to reduce the risks. The lawsuits seek over $77 million in damages for alleged negligence, trespass by fire, and violations of California public safety laws.
Essayli, a company affected by the Eaton Fire, is seeking damages of over $40 million for the Eaton Fire and $37 million for the Fairview Fire. The damages seek to cover fire suppression, rehabilitation, and other costs. Essayli asserts that ratepayers should not be responsible for the damages.
Property owners, shareholders, and Los Angeles County have also sued SCE over the January wildfires. However, SCE, also known as Southern California Edison, had no immediate comment regarding the lawsuits.
It is worth noting that much of the damage from the January wildfires was caused by the Eaton Fire and the Palisades Fire. The Eaton Fire damaged National Forest System lands, adding to the extensive destruction.
The search results do not provide information about the leader of the U.S. Attorney's Office in Los Angeles who filed lawsuits against Southern California Edison.
In afternoon trading, Edison shares were down 1.6%. The impact of these lawsuits on the company's future remains to be seen.
This development underscores the ongoing challenges posed by wildfires in Southern California and the potential legal repercussions for utilities companies in the region. As the investigations and legal proceedings continue, more details about the causes of these fires and the responsibilities of the involved parties may come to light.
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