Southern California Edison

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A major investor-owned electric utility serving much of Southern California and parts of Central California.

Last updated October 18, 2026

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Overview

Southern California Edison, commonly known as SCE, is one of the largest investor-owned electric utilities in the United States. It supplies electricity to approximately 15 million people across a service territory covering roughly 50,000 square miles in Southern and Central California. The company operates regulated transmission and distribution infrastructure, connects customers and generators to the electric grid, manages energy procurement, and provides programs related to renewable power, electric vehicles, energy efficiency, and energy storage. SCE's origins are linked to the large-scale hydroelectric development associated with Henry E. Huntington and engineer John S. Eastwood. Around the beginning of the twentieth century, Huntington established Pacific Light and Power to develop the Big Creek Hydroelectric Project in the Sierra Nevada. Pacific Light and Power, Edison Electric, Mt. Whitney Power & Electric Company, California Electric Power Company, Southern California Power Company, and other predecessor enterprises contributed to the corporate and infrastructure history from which the modern utility emerged. The Big Creek system became a major source of electricity and helped support the growth of Southern California. The company owns and operates extensive electric transmission and distribution facilities. California's electricity-market restructuring and deregulation during the late 1990s required SCE to sell many power-generation assets, although it retained substantial hydroelectric resources. SCE also held a 75 percent interest in the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station. The nuclear plant was permanently shut down and decommissioned after the discovery of steam-generator problems, with the closure completed as the site moved into decommissioning in the 2010s. SCE's power portfolio and procurement activities have increasingly included renewable resources and grid-scale storage. The company supported major wind development in the Tehachapi region, pursued large photovoltaic and solar-thermal contracts, and installed the Tehachapi Energy Storage Project to test lithium-ion storage for wind-generated electricity. It has also developed hybrid facilities combining natural-gas peaker turbines with batteries, allowing short bursts of demand to be met from storage before gas generation is used for longer periods. Customers can obtain electricity through renewable-energy programs, while the utility offers specialized rates, rebates, and infrastructure programs for electric vehicles. Beyond its principal electric business, SCE operates gas and water utilities on Santa Catalina Island through the Catalina Island Gas Company and Catalina Island Water Company. Its network is interconnected with other California and western-region power systems through major transmission paths, including connections associated with Path 26 and other regional interfaces. SCE has also faced significant regulatory, legal, labor, and reputational challenges. Its equipment has been identified by official investigations as the cause of several destructive wildfires, including the Thomas, Woolsey, and Creek fires, while its equipment has been implicated or investigated in other fires. These events generated billions of dollars in settlements, extensive litigation, regulatory scrutiny, and disputes over whether wildfire-related costs should be recovered from customers. The 2025 Eaton Fire produced further lawsuits and investigation because of a reported electrical fault near the time and location of ignition, although the cause was not established in the available reference material. SCE remains an active regulated utility whose central strategic issues include wildfire mitigation, grid modernization, reliability, decarbonization, affordability, and regulatory accountability.

History

Southern California Edison's history is rooted in the development of large-scale electric infrastructure in Southern California and the Sierra Nevada. Around 1908, businessman Henry E. Huntington and hydraulic engineer John S. Eastwood advanced plans for a network of reservoirs and hydroelectric works in the Sierra Nevada. Huntington created Pacific Light and Power to carry out the Big Creek Hydroelectric Project, one of the largest power-development schemes in the region and a major predecessor in the history of SCE. The modern utility inherited assets, corporate relationships, and operating traditions from several early power companies, including Pacific Light and Power, Edison Electric, Mt. Whitney Power & Electric Company, California Electric Power Company, and Southern California Power Company. These enterprises built generation, transmission, and distribution systems that enabled the rapid expansion of Los Angeles and surrounding communities. Hydroelectric development was particularly important because it allowed electricity generated in mountainous areas to be transmitted to growing urban markets. During the twentieth century, SCE developed into a major regulated electric utility. Its role expanded from generation into the operation of a large transmission and distribution network serving residential, commercial, industrial, and public-sector customers. The company also became involved in nuclear generation through the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station, in which it held a 75 percent ownership interest. San Onofre was permanently retired in 2013 after equipment problems involving replacement steam generators, and the facility subsequently entered decommissioning. California's electricity-market restructuring in the late 1990s changed SCE's business model. Deregulation required the utility to sell many of its generating plants, leaving it more dependent on purchased power and contracted resources while retaining ownership of its transmission and distribution system and certain hydroelectric assets. Its retained hydroelectric portfolio represented approximately 1,200 megawatts according to the reference material. From the 2000s onward, SCE pursued a broader energy-transition role. It contracted for wind power in the Tehachapi Pass area and announced a major rooftop photovoltaic initiative in 2008. It later entered solar-thermal arrangements, although a proposed Stirling Energy Systems purchase was canceled in 2010 as photovoltaic economics improved. The company installed the Tehachapi Energy Storage Project in 2014, using more than 600,000 lithium-ion cells to study how storage could absorb electricity from a region with thousands of wind turbines. SCE also developed electric-gas-turbine and battery hybrid peaker facilities, which used batteries for short-duration demands and gas generation for longer periods. SCE expanded customer electrification programs through electric-vehicle rates, rebates, and charging infrastructure. Its Charge Ready initiative supported the installation of charging stations, and the company also offered programs allowing customers to obtain electricity entirely from renewable sources. On Santa Catalina Island, SCE operates the Catalina Island Gas Company and Catalina Island Water Company, giving the wider enterprise limited gas and water operations in addition to its main electric franchise. Wildfire liability has become one of the defining issues in SCE's recent history. Investigations and litigation have associated SCE equipment with the 1996 Calabasas Fire, the 2017 Creek Fire, the 2017 Thomas Fire, and the 2018 Woolsey Fire, among others. The Calabasas investigation resulted in criticism over vegetation management, document handling, and cooperation with investigators. Later investigations concluded that SCE equipment caused the Thomas and Woolsey fires and identified SCE equipment as responsible for the Creek Fire, while related proceedings generated disputes over incomplete data and alleged efforts to attribute responsibility elsewhere. The Thomas and Woolsey matters resulted in settlements exceeding billions of dollars. The Eaton Fire in January 2025 created another major test. The fire devastated communities including Altadena, caused deaths and extensive property destruction, and prompted lawsuits against SCE. Reported electrical faults and evidence involving transmission lines led to scrutiny, but the reference material does not establish a final cause determination. Regulators have also criticized aspects of SCE's high-risk transmission-line inspections and wind-monitoring practices. Consequently, SCE's present identity combines that of a foundational California utility with that of a heavily scrutinized infrastructure operator managing the competing demands of safety, reliability, affordability, climate policy, and wildfire risk.

2025
Eaton Fire litigation and investigation
[1]Southern California Edisonen.wikipedia.org
The Eaton Fire generated lawsuits and scrutiny of SCE transmission equipment, inspection practices, wind monitoring, and line re-energization.
2020
Woolsey Fire cause determination
[1]Southern California Edisonen.wikipedia.org
A California Public Utilities Commission report concluded that SCE electrical equipment caused the Woolsey Fire.
2017
Hybrid gas-and-storage peaker plants opened
[1]Southern California Edisonen.wikipedia.org
SCE opened two hybrid facilities combining electric-gas-turbine generation with batteries, each designed to provide approximately 50 megawatts.
2014
Tehachapi Energy Storage Project installed
[1]Southern California Edisonen.wikipedia.org
SCE installed a lithium-ion storage project at the Monolith Substation to test storage for wind-generated electricity.
2013
San Onofre permanently closed
[1]Southern California Edisonen.wikipedia.org
The San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station was shut down and entered decommissioning.
2008
Large rooftop solar initiative announced
[1]Southern California Edisonen.wikipedia.org
SCE announced an $875 million plan involving 250 megawatts of rooftop photovoltaic generation.
2006
Tehachapi wind-power procurement
[1]Southern California Edisonen.wikipedia.org
SCE planned to procure at least 1,500 megawatts from new wind projects in the Tehachapi Pass region.
1998
California electricity restructuring
[1]Southern California Edisonen.wikipedia.org
Electricity-market deregulation required SCE to sell many power-generation assets while retaining its transmission and distribution role.
1996
Calabasas Fire investigation
[1]Southern California Edisonen.wikipedia.org
Investigators concluded that SCE equipment started the Calabasas Fire, which destroyed structures and prompted an agreement concerning future wildfire investigations.
1990
San Onofre ownership and nuclear operations
[1]Southern California Edisonen.wikipedia.org
SCE held a 75 percent interest in the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station before the plant was permanently shut down and moved into decommissioning.
1908
Big Creek development plans emerge
[1]Southern California Edisonen.wikipedia.org
Henry E. Huntington and John S. Eastwood developed plans for a major Sierra Nevada hydroelectric system, and Huntington established Pacific Light and Power to execute the Big Creek project.

Products and positioning

A large regulated California electric utility focused on reliable power delivery, grid investment, renewable integration, electrification, and wildfire-risk management.

Electric utility
Regulated electric service
SCE's core offering is regulated electricity delivery to residential, commercial, industrial, and public-sector customers. The service includes distribution through local circuits, grid connection, metering, outage response, and access to electricity procured from a mixture of renewable, hydroelectric, natural-gas, nuclear legacy, and market resources.
Renewable electricity program
Green Rate
The Green Rate program enables participating customers to obtain electricity entirely from renewable sources through a dedicated utility rate structure. It forms part of SCE's customer-facing response to demand for lower-carbon electricity and renewable-energy procurement.
Electric-vehicle infrastructure · 2016
Charge Ready
Charge Ready is an SCE program designed to expand access to passenger-electric-vehicle charging. It supports charging-port deployment across the service area and complements EV-specific rates and vehicle rebate resources.
Energy storage · 2014
Tehachapi Energy Storage Project
Installed at the Monolith Substation, this project uses a large lithium-ion battery array to study the storage of electricity generated in the Tehachapi wind region. It represents SCE's effort to integrate variable renewable generation with grid operations.
Gas utility
Catalina Island Gas Company
SCE operates Catalina Island's gas utility under the Catalina Island Gas Company name. This is a geographically limited complementary utility business rather than the company's principal operating activity.
Water utility
Catalina Island Water Company
The Catalina Island Water Company is the water-utility operation managed by SCE on Santa Catalina Island. It extends the company's regulated infrastructure role beyond electricity within that island market.

Controversies

2025
Eaton Fire scrutiny
The Eaton Fire resulted in lawsuits and continuing scrutiny of SCE because of reported faults on nearby transmission lines, inspection backlogs, wind-monitoring practices, and the re-energization of lines under investigation. The available reference material does not establish a final legal determination of causation.
Source
2022
Audit raises questions about Southern California Edison wildfire spending
A team hired by California regulators said Southern California Edison (SCE) placed $700.4 million in wildfire safety work costs into an account eligible for a further rate hike, potentially charging ratepayers twice. SCE disputed the audit's accuracy and said most of the questioned general-rate-funded project costs had already been refunded to customer-paid accounts.
Source
2021
SCE reaches $2.2 billion Woolsey Fire subrogation settlement
Southern California Edison and holders of Woolsey Fire insurance subrogation claims reached a $2.2 billion settlement of those claims. The source says the settlement was reached Friday but provides no publication date to resolve that relative date.
Source
2020
Southern California Edison reaches wildfire insurance settlement
Southern California Edison said it reached a settlement of more than $1 billion with insurers related to fires and mudslides involving its equipment in 2017 and 2018. The agreement did not include an admission of liability.
Source
2019
Southern California Edison reaches wildfire-loss settlement with public agencies
Southern California Edison reached a $360 million settlement with 23 public agencies for costs and losses associated with the Thomas and Woolsey Fires and the Montecito debris flow. The article says the settlement concerns the role Edison equipment may have had in starting the fires; individual and business claims are unaffected.
Source
2018
Woolsey Fire liability and prosecution controversy
A CPUC report attributed the Woolsey Fire to SCE equipment. SCE later paid approximately $2.2 billion in settlements. California prosecutors declined criminal charges, a decision criticized by victims' attorneys; reporting also raised questions about a political donation that was subsequently described as a miscommunication.
Source
2017
Creek Fire data and causation dispute
Federal investigators attributed the Creek Fire to SCE equipment after later-disclosed data showed an electrical fault. The government alleged that SCE withheld relevant information and violated a prior investigative agreement; SCE denied the allegations.
Source
2017
Thomas Fire liability
An official investigation attributed the Thomas Fire and the related Koenigstein Fire to SCE equipment. The disaster caused deaths, extensive destruction, and Montecito mudflows, followed by settlements exceeding $2.7 billion.
Source
2015
IT layoffs and H-1B labor controversy
SCE's layoffs of information-technology employees followed by hiring through offshore technology companies led to a U.S. Department of Labor investigation into possible H-1B visa abuse.
Source
1996
Calabasas Fire investigation and evidence dispute
Investigators concluded that SCE equipment started the Calabasas Fire and criticized the company's vegetation monitoring and destruction of evidence, although prosecutors did not find conduct sufficient for criminal charges.
Source

2018Charge Ready
Southern California · Central California
SCE promoted the expansion of passenger-EV charging infrastructure, building on charging stations installed since 2016 and offering related rates and rebates.
Outcome. The program was planned to add thousands of charging stations.
Source

Brand decisions

2025
Recover Thomas Fire settlement costs through ratesPrice change
Background
SCE requested regulatory recovery of payments made to Thomas Fire victims and related claimants.
Action taken
The CPUC approved recovery of more than $1.6 billion through customer rates, with SCE stating that the cost would be distributed over 30 years.
Aftermath
Residents, legislators, and wildfire advocates criticized the decision as shifting responsibility to customers.
approved rate recovery. more than $1.6 billion (2025 CPUC approval)
Source
2017
Open hybrid gas-and-battery peaker plantsProduct launch
Background
SCE sought to reduce gas consumption, water use, and repeated turbine starts while maintaining short-duration peak capacity.
Action taken
The company opened two hybrid facilities combining gas turbines and batteries.
Aftermath
The configuration was reported to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions and water use compared with conventional peaker operation.
Source
2014
Install Tehachapi battery storageProduct launch
Background
SCE needed to evaluate ways to balance variable wind generation and improve grid flexibility.
Action taken
The company installed a large lithium-ion battery project at the Monolith Substation.
Aftermath
The installation became a notable early utility-scale test of battery storage for renewable integration.
Source
2010
Cancel Stirling solar purchaseOther
Background
Changes in solar technology and falling photovoltaic costs altered the economics of a proposed dish-Stirling project.
Action taken
SCE canceled its planned purchase from Stirling Energy Systems.
Aftermath
The company shifted away from that proposed technology in favor of more economical photovoltaic alternatives.
Source
2008
Launch large-scale rooftop photovoltaic planStrategy
Background
SCE pursued distributed solar generation as California increased its renewable-energy ambitions.
Action taken
SCE announced a plan involving approximately 250 megawatts of rooftop photovoltaic capacity.
Aftermath
The initiative was described as the largest solar-cell project in the United States at the time.
announced project cost. $875 million (2008 announcement)
Source
2006
Expand Tehachapi wind procurementStrategy
Background
SCE sought to increase its renewable portfolio and support a major wind-development zone in the Tehachapi Pass.
Action taken
The company planned to secure at least 1,500 megawatts from new wind projects.
Aftermath
The Tehachapi region became an important setting for SCE's renewable integration and later storage work.
Source

Recent events

2025
California regulators approve SCE rate recovery related to Thomas Fire settlements[1]Southern California Edisonen.wikipedia.org
Pricing · Regulation · Lawsuit
The California Public Utilities Commission approved SCE's request to recover more than $1.6 billion in payments connected with Thomas Fire victims. Opponents argued that affected customers should not bear the cost, while SCE said the recovery would be spread over 30 years.
2025
Eaton Fire prompts scrutiny of SCE transmission lines and wildfire practices[1]Southern California Edisonen.wikipedia.org
Lawsuit · Regulation · Other
The Eaton Fire led to lawsuits and investigation after reported video, witness accounts, and an electrical fault connected the fire to SCE transmission infrastructure. Regulators and victims' attorneys also raised questions about inspection practices, wind monitoring intervals, and the re-energization of lines under investigation.
2025
Edison International leadership transition[10]Edison International leadership transitionedisoninternational.com
Leadership change
Edison International announced a chief executive leadership transition at the parent-company level, relevant to the governance of its Southern California Edison subsidiary.
2021
SCE advances transportation electrification programs[11]SCE advances transportation electrification programssce.com
Campaign · Product launch
The utility continued deploying programs intended to support electric vehicles, fleet charging, and broader transportation electrification in its service territory.
2019
Wildfire mitigation and public-safety power-shutoff expansion[6]Wildfire liability and equipment investigationssce.com
Regulation · Other
SCE expanded inspections, vegetation management, grid hardening, and de-energization procedures in response to California wildfire conditions and regulatory requirements.
2019
SCE expands wildfire mitigation and public-safety power-shutoff planning[12]SCE expands wildfire mitigation and public-safety power-shutoff planningsce.com
Regulation · Other
Following severe California wildfire seasons, SCE expanded system-hardening, vegetation-management, weather-monitoring, and preventive power-shutoff measures.
2015
SCE investigated over labor practices involving IT outsourcing and H-1B workers[1]Southern California Edisonen.wikipedia.org
Regulation · Other
After laying off approximately 400 information-technology employees and seeing additional voluntary departures, SCE hired workers through Infosys and Tata Consultancy Services. The U.S. Department of Labor investigated possible misuse of H-1B visa arrangements.
2014
California regulators approve settlement related to San Onofre closure[8]San Onofre equipment and cost-allocation controversycpuc.ca.gov
Lawsuit · Regulation
The California Public Utilities Commission approved a settlement addressing costs associated with the San Onofre shutdown and retirement, with customer and shareholder cost allocation at its center.
2013
San Onofre nuclear plant is permanently retired[13]San Onofre nuclear plant is permanently retirednrc.gov
Product generation · Other
Southern California Edison announced the permanent retirement of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station after an extended shutdown linked to steam-generator equipment problems.
2011
Southern California Edison employee involved in Irwindale office shooting[1]Southern California Edisonen.wikipedia.org
Other
A shooting occurred at an SCE office building in Irwindale after an employee opened fire.

Sources16 sources

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