Rosemead, Calif., utility to bury power lines in fire-hit Altadena, Malibu rebuild
(UI) — Southern California Edison (SCE) has announced a large-scale plan to rebuild and modernize its electric distribution system in Altadena and Malibu, with a key focus on moving power lines underground in areas damaged by January’s wildfires.
The utility’s preliminary plan calls for undergrounding approximately 153 circuit miles of distribution lines — including nearly all lines in high fire risk zones within the burn areas, and an additional 23 miles in Altadena neighborhoods outside of those zones. Another 19 circuit miles in Altadena are still being evaluated for potential undergrounding.
SCE outlined the proposal in a letter to California Gov. Gavin Newsom and is working closely with local, state and federal officials, nonprofit groups and residents to refine the effort. Estimated costs for the project range from $860 million to $925 million. The company said it will seek funding from multiple sources, including government and philanthropic channels, to reduce the financial burden on customers.
“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,” said Pedro J. Pizarro, president and CEO of Edison International, SCE’s parent company. “SCE’s rebuilding plan will underground electrical distribution infrastructure where feasible and make the most of breakthrough technologies to reduce wildfire risk.”
Pizarro credited the state’s leadership for helping speed up the process.
“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,” he said.
Steven Powell, president and CEO of SCE, said the rebuild will include capacity upgrades and modern technologies to improve service reliability and emergency response.
“SCE will build back a resilient, reliable grid for our customers,” Powell said. “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.”
The plan includes burying 90 circuit miles in Malibu and surrounding areas, and 40 miles in Altadena and nearby high-risk zones, with additional circuit miles hardened using covered conductor where undergrounding is not feasible. Some sections are expected to be completed within months, while others could take years depending on permits, community feedback and funding availability.
Beyond undergrounding, SCE plans to increase distribution voltage in parts of west Altadena and install smart grid technologies, such as automation systems that isolate outages and speed up restoration times. These upgrades will also support growing electricity demand and clean energy integration.
The utility is also considering establishing Community Resiliency Zones, providing backup battery storage for critical care residents, and outfitting rebuilt homes with smart panels to help customers manage energy use and adopt new technologies.
SCE says it is coordinating with Los Angeles County, Caltrans and telecommunications providers to reduce costs and permit delays. More than 50 community meetings and town halls have been held since January to gather input, and the utility says that ongoing feedback will continue shaping the final plan.
Edison International has acknowledged that SCE equipment may have played a role in the Eaton Fire, but an investigation remains underway. The company said it remains committed to transparency and community support during the recovery.
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