
Southern California Edison's Wildfire Mitigation Plan Leverages Grid Innovations to Advance Community Safety
'We developed our three-year plan with a layered defense strategy to help safeguard our communities against wildfire threats,' said Steven Powell, president and CEO of SCE. 'The heartbreaking January wildfires in Southern California underscore the importance and urgency in advancing mitigations and using new tools to increase infrastructure resiliency and safety. While wildfire risk can never be fully eliminated, we continue to harden the grid and invest in innovative approaches to bring us as close to zero as possible.'
SCE anticipates an investment of $6.2 billion over three years to achieve the WMP, which calls for installation of at least an additional 440 circuit miles of covered conductor and at least 260 circuit miles of underground distribution lines. The company also seeks continued support for aerial firefighting assets throughout the service area, including the world's largest helitankers with nighttime firefighting capabilities.
'With drought conditions across the state, we are preparing for another busy year,' said Brian Fennessy, fire chief of the Orange County Fire Authority. 'The intensity of recent fires is a reminder of how important it is to hit fast and hard – and how devastating it can be if we don't react quickly. Having dedicated aerial resources funded by SCE allows us to respond swiftly and effectively to wildfires, securing the tools and support needed to protect lives and property.'
Enhanced Technology Driving Safety
The 2026-2028 WMP includes new and expanded tools and methodologies to improve safety, reliability and efficiency. Highlights include:
Rapid Earth Fault Current Limiter: Immediately detects ground faults and reduces voltage when a line contacts the ground while maintaining service through remaining lines for customers.
AI and Machine Learning Detection: Advanced models to improve grid inspections and identify maintenance needs, with faster, more accurate diagnostics and enhanced quality control.
Vegetation Management via Remote Sensing: LiDAR and satellite imagery for precise, proactive and effective vegetation monitoring and management to help prevent ignitions.
Alternative Undergrounding Approaches: Protected lines installed at ground level instead of traditional undergrounding (i.e., trenching into the ground), allowing SCE to perform grid hardening work more quickly and cost effectively.
Early Fault Detection Expansion: Expand this grid 'health monitoring' system to 200 new locations, helping SCE detect equipment failures early.
Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) remain an important tool in wildfire prevention, given the threat of extreme weather events and potential for urban fire spread in Southern California. SCE plans to bolster customer support and outreach to improve safety and lessen the hardship of PSPS events.
'PSPS saves lives,' said Jill C. Anderson, executive vice president and chief operating officer for SCE. 'During the windstorm this past January, we identified nearly 90 potential ignition sources in the storm's aftermath that were prevented because the lines were deenergized due to PSPS. We continue to make investments in critical safety measures, such as covered conductor and fast-acting fuses that prevent potential ignitions across the high fire risk sections of our service area.'
Additional new and expanded measures in the WMP include enhancements in transmission resiliency, such as more structure brushing, proactive splice shunting and subtransmission grid hardening. Other wildfire mitigation plans include increasing undergrounding efforts, integrating climate change scenarios into risk models and using AI for HD camera data feeds to assess real-time conditions of a fire. The plan continues SCE's foundational wildfire mitigations, such as installation of covered conductor, and more frequent equipment inspections and trimming of vegetation that could potentially contact power lines and lead to ignitions.
'SCE's wildfire mitigation strategy continues to evolve as we balance cost, reliability and safety while pioneering innovative technologies to protect communities from wildfire risks,' added Powell.
Visit for more information regarding SCE's Wildfire Mitigation Plan.
An Edison International (NYSE: EIX) company, Southern California Edison is one of the nation's largest electric utilities, serving a population of approximately 15 million via 5 million customer accounts in a 50,000-square-mile service area within Central, Coastal and Southern California.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Business Wire
15 hours ago
- Business Wire
100 Days to 8th CIIE: Preps Harden as Global Exhibitors Eye Business Potential in China
SHANGHAI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Facing the complex international landscape and mounting challenges, China International Import Expo (CIIE) consistently acts as a platform for global business exchange. With only 100 days to go, the 8th CIIE is set to take place in Shanghai from November 5 to 10. As of now, over 50 countries and international organizations have confirmed their participation in the Country Pavilion. Sweden and the United Arab Emirates will serve as guest countries of honor at the 8th CIIE, while Kyrgyzstan will make its debut. To help global enterprises across sectors better integrate into the Chinese market, the Corporate Pavilion features six major exhibition areas—encompassing Medical Equipment and Healthcare Products, Automobile and Smart Mobility, Intelligent Industry & Information Technology, Consumer Goods, Food and Agriculture Products, and Trade in Services—and will continue hosting its Innovation Incubation Special Section. Driven by strong interest and participation from overseas companies, total booked exhibition space has surpassed 330,000 square meters, with 170 companies and 26 institutions becoming eight-time full-attendance exhibitors. Notably, this year's Corporate Pavilion introduces four fresh innovations, demonstrating its vibrant energy and vast collaboration opportunities for participants. A special section for the least-developed countries products will launch alongside an upgraded Africa products section, helping 53 diplomatic African partners leverage zero-tariff treatment to enter the Chinese market. A new section for overseas provinces and cities stands as another highlight. Focused on global premieres, a dedicated trail for exploring debuts and a section amplifying exhibitors' presence are introduced. A cross-border e-commerce platform will be established for specialized promotion, matching, and livestreaming. The 8th Hongqiao International Economic Forum (HQF) will convene under the theme 'Opening-up for New Opportunities, Cooperation for a Shared Future.' Alongside the release of the World Openness Report 2025 and the latest World Openness Index, the HQF will host over 20 parallel sessions on revitalizing multilateral cooperation, empowering digital intelligence, green and sustainable development, and a more open China. Side events will retain previous categories, while people-to-people exchange activities will add a new 'Charming Friends of City' zone, inviting international friendly provinces and cities to set up their booths. Stay tuned for the 8th CIIE – secure your spot now! Sign up as an exhibitor: Sign up as a professional visitor:


Business Wire
16 hours ago
- Business Wire
100 Days to 8 th CIIE: Preps Harden as Global Exhibitors Eye Business Potential in China
BUSINESS WIRE)--Facing the complex international landscape and mounting challenges, China International Import Expo (CIIE) consistently acts as a platform for global business exchange. With only 100 days to go, the 8 th CIIE is set to take place in Shanghai from November 5 to 10. As of now, over 50 countries and international organizations have confirmed their participation in the Country Pavilion. Sweden and the United Arab Emirates will serve as guest countries of honor at the 8 th CIIE, while Kyrgyzstan will make its debut. To help global enterprises across sectors better integrate into the Chinese market, the Corporate Pavilion features six major exhibition areas—encompassing Medical Equipment and Healthcare Products, Automobile and Smart Mobility, Intelligent Industry & Information Technology, Consumer Goods, Food and Agriculture Products, and Trade in Services—and will continue hosting its Innovation Incubation Special Section. Driven by strong interest and participation from overseas companies, total booked exhibition space has surpassed 330,000 square meters, with 170 companies and 26 institutions becoming eight-time full-attendance exhibitors. Notably, this year's Corporate Pavilion introduces four fresh innovations, demonstrating its vibrant energy and vast collaboration opportunities for participants. A special section for the least-developed countries products will launch alongside an upgraded Africa products section, helping 53 diplomatic African partners leverage zero-tariff treatment to enter the Chinese market. A new section for overseas provinces and cities stands as another highlight. Focused on global premieres, a dedicated trail for exploring debuts and a section amplifying exhibitors' presence are introduced. A cross-border e-commerce platform will be established for specialized promotion, matching, and livestreaming. The 8 th Hongqiao International Economic Forum (HQF) will convene under the theme 'Opening-up for New Opportunities, Cooperation for a Shared Future.' Alongside the release of the World Openness Report 2025 and the latest World Openness Index, the HQF will host over 20 parallel sessions on revitalizing multilateral cooperation, empowering digital intelligence, green and sustainable development, and a more open China. Side events will retain previous categories, while people-to-people exchange activities will add a new 'Charming Friends of City' zone, inviting international friendly provinces and cities to set up their booths. Stay tuned for the 8 th CIIE – secure your spot now!


Business Wire
a day ago
- Business Wire
Hawaii American Water Granted New Rates by Hawaii Public Utilities Commission
HONOLULU--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Hawaii Public Utilities Commission (HPUC) has approved new wastewater rates for Hawaii American Water's Hawaii Kai, Mauna Lani, and Waimea service areas. The company's rate request was filed on August 5, 2024, and was primarily driven by over $40 million in local infrastructure upgrades in all three districts. The new rates reinforce the company's commitment to replace aging infrastructure, provide safe and reliable service, comply with environmental regulations and support infrastructure improvements for treatment plants, collection systems and pump stations. 'We are committed to making necessary infrastructure investments that allow us to continue providing safe and reliable wastewater services, while also enhancing the systems for long-term sustainability, resiliency and environmental protection,' said Lee Mansfield, Senior Manager Operations, Hawaii American Water. 'Our approach to consistent and efficient investment balanced with managing costs helps us deliver reliable and affordable service to our customers.' New rates are expected to be effective in early August 2025. The typical single-family customer in Hawaii Kai will see a monthly rate increase of approximately $4. For our Big Island operations at Mauna Lani and Waimea the typical single-family customer will see a rate increase of approximately $18 to $25 per month. The last rate adjustments were September 2003 for Mauna Lani operations and January 2011 for Waimea operations. The company last filed a rate case for the Hawaii Kai system in 2021. Customers will receive information about the new rates on their Hawaii American Water bill. Information will also be available on the company's website under Customer Service Billing, Your Wastewater Rates. About American Water American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886, We Keep Life Flowing® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to more than 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 18 military installations. American Water's 6,700 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company's national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders. For more information, visit and join American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram. About Hawaii American Water Hawaii American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, provides high-quality wastewater services to approximately 30,000 people. AWK-IR