California Edison to Bury 150 Miles of Power Lines in Fire-Prone Areas

The $860-$925 million project in Altadena and Malibu aims to reduce wildfire risks and modernize the electrical grid under relaxed environmental regulations.

• Southern California Edison (SCE) announced plans to replace over 150 miles of damaged power lines with underground systems in Altadena and Malibu following January's devastating fires.
• The initiative will target high fire risk areas, with 130 circuit miles of underground distribution lines planned to mitigate wildfire hazards.
• The project, estimated to cost between $860 million and $925 million, will be implemented over several years, with timelines dependent on community rebuilding and permitting processes.
• Gov. Gavin Newsom's suspension of key environmental laws in March expedited the planning and approval of this infrastructure modernization effort.
• SCE is actively exploring federal, state, and philanthropic funding options to minimize costs for customers and support community recovery efforts.

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Los Angeles Times Orange County Register