The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) today issued a $1 million Staff Citation to Southern California Edison (SCE) for its involvement in the ignition of the Easy Fire, which occurred in Simi Valley in October 2019.
The Ventura County Fire Department, which investigated the cause of the fire that burned 1,806 acres in a Tier 3 High Fire Threat District, determined that power equipment owned and operated by SCE was the cause of the Easy Fire.
The CPUC’s Safety and Enforcement Division’s investigation into SCE’s operations around the time of the incident identified that SCE violated CPUC regulations for failing to install and maintain its 66 kV conductor and insulator adequately and safely in order to prevent them from contacting the steel pole when swinging during windy conditions. CPUC General Order 95, Rule 31.1 requires utilities to design and maintain their conductors and insulators safely and adequately.
Under the CPUC’s Staff Citation program, SCE has 30 days to pay the fine and make the corrective actions or request a hearing.
Information about the Citation is available at: www.cpuc.ca.gov/regulatory-services/enforcement-and-citations/electric-safety-citations.
The CPUC’s Safety and Enforcement Division (SED) has staff-level authority to issue Citations to regulated natural gas and electric companies for violation of CPUC codes and regulations. Safety violations are identified through SED’s ongoing audits, inspections, and investigations; by the utilities themselves through mandatory disclosure requirements; or through the CPUC’s whistleblower program for anonymous and protected reporting of violations. Whistleblowers can call 1-800-649-7570 or email safetyhotline@cpuc.ca.gov. The CPUC also has an online whistleblower reporting form at ia.cpuc.ca.gov/whblow where complaints can be submitted anonymously.
Today’s action is the latest of many actions the CPUC has taken to hold SCE accountable for safely serving its customers. Most recently the CPUC approved a settlement for $550 million between SED and SCE for the 2017 – 2018 Southern California wildfires.
The CPUC regulates services and utilities, protects consumers, safeguards the environment, and assures Californians’ access to safe and reliable utility infrastructure and services. For more information on the CPUC, please visit www.cpuc.ca.gov.
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Press Release
