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The California Attorney General's (AG) Office issued a Legal Alert to local jurisdictions, emphasizing the importance of streamlining the permitting process for electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. This initiative supports California's important clean air goals and increased EV ownership will only accelerate as the state phases out the sale of new gas-powered vehicles. At Southern California Edison (SCE), we are committed to helping customers make that transition through a multifaceted approach focused on affordability, awareness, and the availability of EV charging infrastructure.
The AG's document highlights five common compliance issues among local jurisdictions:
- Applying local zoning regulations to EV charging station permit applications.
- Requiring discretionary review for certain types of installations.
- Considering impacts beyond health and safety requirements.
- Exceeding timelines for permit application review and approval.
- Failing to adopt or publish an expedited permitting ordinance or checklist.
Fortunately, local governments and permitting agencies have a key role in this effort through their permitting procedures, and two existing state laws (AB 1236 and AB 970) provide helpful direction for local authorities to review permit applications more quickly. Streamlining permitting helps local residents, businesses, property owners, and any others who plan to install charging stations. This alert serves as a reminder of the critical role local governments play in facilitating the transition to cleaner, more sustainable transportation options.
Safely Adding an Accessory Dwelling Unit
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Building an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) can provide much-needed housing and extra income for homeowners. However, safety is paramount. SCE advises contacting us before starting any ADU construction to ensure work around power lines is done safely. This step helps prevent accidents and ensures a smooth permitting process. SCE can assist with temporary power solutions and guide you on maintaining a safe distance from overhead and underground power lines.
By working with SCE, you can help your community build safely and efficiently. Let's prioritize safety and support the creation of more affordable housing options through well-planned ADU projects. For more safety tips and information, visit ADU Installation Safety | Energized
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A recent Los Angeles Times article about the Eaton Fire misrepresents the facts. Despite SCE sharing relevant information with the reporter, the Times published a story that used information out of context. SCE remains committed to a transparent and thorough investigation and continues to work cooperatively with all interested parties.
Click here to find some of the corrections we made. For additional updates to recent media articles, online content and social media posts, follow this link.
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Edison Scholars Announced
Southern California Edison is proud to announce the 2025 Edison Scholars! This year, 30 high school seniors have been awarded $50,000 scholarships to pursue their dreams in science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM). These outstanding students have demonstrated academic excellence and a commitment to making a positive impact in their communities. You can see the list of winners here.
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California Climate Credit
This April, SCE's residential and many small business utility bills will include a $56.00 credit identified as the "California Climate Credit." Funding for the credit comes from California’s Greenhouse Gas Cap-and-Trade Program, which aims to reduce GHG emissions by requiring power plants, fuel providers and large industrial facilities that emit greenhouse gases to buy carbon pollution allowances. Since 2014, SCE residential households have already received a cumulative average of $978 in California Climate Credits on their electric utility bills, totaling nearly $9.4 billion in cumulative benefits statewide. Click here for more information about the Climate Credit.
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State Legislators Introduce Wildfire Legislation
Two bills to look out for in this legislative session are:
- Senate Bill 332 (Sen. Aisha Wahab): The Investor-Owned Utilities Accountability Act would mandate the State Energy Commission to study successor entities to replace state IOUs, and shift costs of rebuilding infrastructure, undergrounding and wildfire fund to shareholders
- Senate Bill 256 (Sen. Sasha Perez): This measure would state the intent of the state legislature to enhance resiliency and reliability of electrical infrastructure in areas prone to wildfires and other natural disasters by requiring utilities to prioritize undergrounding, microgrids, and requiring the Public Utilities Commission to strengthen PSPS standards and accountability measures. The measure would also require electrical corporations to provide instant access to utility data related to faults on electric lines when a natural disaster occurs.
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Just Launched: Total Cost of
Ownership Calculator
Want to see how much EVs can save your fleet? SCE’s new Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) Calculator makes it EASY! See your lifetime EVs savings potential, annual electric vs. diesel costs, and fuel savings per mile. Start planning your electric fleet savings today!
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Question: What are some best practices for wildfire preparedness?
Answer: Following these practices can help you and your community stay safe and prepared in the event of a wildfire:
- Create Defensible Space: Clear vegetation and other flammable materials around your home to create a buffer zone that can slow the spread of wildfire.
- Harden Your Home: Use fire-resistant building materials for roofs, walls, and decks. Install screens on vents to prevent embers from entering.
- Develop an Emergency Plan: Have a plan that includes evacuation routes, communication strategies, and a list of essential items to take with you. Create an emergency kit that includes items like water, food, medications, important documents, and personal protective equipment.
- Stay Informed: Sign up for local alerts and warnings. Monitor weather conditions and fire danger levels. Adhere to local fire safety codes and ordinances. Participate in community wildfire protection plans.
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Please Submit Your Questions: If you have a question related to SCE and our electrical service, please send to us in one of two ways:
- Contact your local SCE Government Relations Manager and pose the question.
- Send the question directly to our communications staff at SCE.LocalPublicAffairs@SCE.com.
We will go through all questions and answer them in priority order, based on the most popular or frequently asked. Answers will appear each month in this newsletter. Thank you for your interest and engagement with SCE Local Public Affairs!
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News Archive
Here you will find our recent content, including past newsletters, toolkits, and videos. Visit our Local Public Affairs archive.
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Sign Up for SCE Newsletters
Energized by Edison is our company's digital platform for storytelling. You can sign up to receive two different newsletters:
A Weekly Newsletter captures all the Edison digital stories published during the week.
A Wildfire Mitigation Newsletter brings you the latest on SCE's efforts to reduce wildfire threats to the communities we serve.
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